osteomalacia

[ os-tee-oh-muh-ley-shuh, -shee-uh, -see-uh ]

/ ˌɒs ti oʊ məˈleɪ ʃə, -ʃi ə, -si ə /

Save This Word!

noun Pathology.

a condition characterized by softening of the bones with resultant pain, weakness, and bone fragility, caused by inadequate deposition of calcium or vitamin D.

QUIZ

ARE YOU A TRUE BLUE CHAMPION OF THESE "BLUE" SYNONYMS?

We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms.

Question 1 of 8

Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?

navy

beryl

azure

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Meet Grammar Coach

Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Improve Your Writing

Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing

Origin of osteomalacia

From New Latin, dating back to 1815–25; see origin at osteo-, malacia

OTHER WORDS FROM osteomalacia

os·te·o·ma·la·cial, os·te·o·ma·lac·ic

[os-tee-oh-muh-las-ik], /ˌɒs ti oʊ məˈlæs ɪk/, adjective

Words nearby osteomalacia

osteoid osteoma, osteolipochondroma, osteology, osteolysis, osteoma, osteomalacia, osteomalacic, osteomalacic pelvis, osteoma medullare, osteoma spongiosum, osteomatoid

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use osteomalacia in a sentence

Mr. V. Canyre spoke about softening the bones of ideas (osteomalacia), against which such a propaganda must work in the school.
The Future Belongs to the People|Karl Liebknecht
In osteomalacia and in the absorption of bone the mucous degeneration of the bone-cartilage plays an important part.
A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I|Various
Osteogenesis imperfecta and osteomalacia are disorders of dietetic or metabolic origin characterized by fragility of the bones.
Scurvy Past and Present|Alfred Fabian Hess
Degeneration of the bone tissue: Rickets, Osteomalacia and similar diseases.
Valere Aude|Louis Dechmann

Osteomalacia is an acquired disease which causes marked softening and changes in the bones.
Surgery, with Special Reference to Podiatry|Maximilian Stern

British Dictionary definitions for osteomalacia

osteomalacia

/ (ˌɒstɪəʊməˈleɪʃɪə) /

noun

a disease in adults characterized by softening of the bones, resulting from a deficiency of vitamin D and of calcium and phosphorus

Derived forms of osteomalacia

osteomalacial or osteomalacic (ˌɒstɪəʊməˈlæsɪk), adjective

Word Origin for osteomalacia

C19: from New Latin, from osteo- + Greek malakia softness

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for osteomalacia

osteomalacia

[ ŏs′tē-ō-mə-lā′shə ]

A bone disease characterized by bone demineralization due to deficiency or impaired metabolism of vitamin D or phosphates. adult rickets late rickets