sclerosis

[ skli-roh-sis ]

/ sklɪˈroʊ sɪs /

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noun, plural scle·ro·ses

[skli-roh-seez]. /sklɪˈroʊ siz/.

Pathology. a hardening or induration of a tissue or part, or an increase of connective tissue or the like at the expense of more active tissue.

Botany. a hardening of a tissue or cell wall by thickening or lignification.

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Origin of sclerosis

1350–1400; Middle English <Medieval Latin <Greek sklḗrōsis hardening. See scler-, -osis

OTHER WORDS FROM sclerosis

scle·ro·sal, adjective

Words nearby sclerosis

sclerosed, sclerosing adenosis, sclerosing hemangioma, sclerosing keratitis, sclerosing osteitis, sclerosis, sclerostenosis, sclerostomy, sclerotherapy, sclerotic, sclerotic body

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use sclerosis in a sentence

One of the plaintiffs is Melissa Davenport, a woman with multiple sclerosis.
The Town Where Your Sex Toy Could Land You in Jail|Emily Shire, Lizzie Crocker|May 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In 2000, a year after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Montel Williams ditched his wife, Grace.
Paula Broadwell, Eminem, & More Spurned Lovers Who Went Ballistic|Paula Froelich|November 15, 2012|DAILY BEAST
She talked about her father, afflicted with multiple sclerosis, who nevertheless managed to support the family.
Michelle Obama’s Resounding Triumph|Howard Kurtz|September 5, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Dressage is a useful therapy for people with multiple sclerosis.
Lay Off the Dressage Attacks on Mitt and Ann Romney’s Horse Rafalca|Michelle Cottle|August 3, 2012|DAILY BEAST

She is presently wheelchair-bound by multiple sclerosis but suddenly in hope of parole someday, thanks to the Supreme Court.
Families Decry Supreme Court Decision on Juvenile Life Without Parole|Michael Daly|June 26, 2012|DAILY BEAST
One of the most characteristic symptoms of old age is the hardening of the arteries—arterio-sclerosis.
Life of Elie Metchnikoff, 1845-1916|Olga Metchnikoff
This gentleman pronounced the case one of spinal (either multiple or posterior) sclerosis, and discarded the syphilitic theory.
The Electric Bath|George M. Schweig
High tension and sclerosis of the radial artery were respectively found in about one-half of the cases.
The Lettsomian Lectures 1900-1901|J. Mitchell Bruce
It also occurs in patients suffering from glycosuria, and is usually associated with arterio-sclerosis—local or general.
Manual of Surgery|Alexis Thomson and Alexander Miles
This type of sclerosis preceding death of the bone is highly characteristic of tuberculosis.
Manual of Surgery|Alexis Thomson and Alexander Miles

British Dictionary definitions for sclerosis

sclerosis

/ (sklɪəˈrəʊsɪs) /

noun plural -ses (-siːz)

pathol a hardening or thickening of organs, tissues, or vessels from chronic inflammation, abnormal growth of fibrous tissue, or degeneration of the myelin sheath of nerve fibres, or (esp on the inner walls of arteries) deposition of fatty plaquesCompare arteriosclerosis, atherosclerosis, multiple sclerosis

the hardening of a plant cell wall or tissue by the deposition of lignin

a debilitating lack of progress or innovation within an institution or organization

Derived forms of sclerosis

sclerosal, adjective

Word Origin for sclerosis

C14: via Medieval Latin from Greek sklērōsis a hardening

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 sclerosis

sclerosis

[ sklə-rō′sĭs ]

n. pl. scle•ro•ses (-sēz)

The hardening of a tissue or part due to chronic inflammation.

A thickening or hardening of a body part or system especially from excessive formation of fibrous interstitial or glial tissue.

Any of various diseases characterized by thickening or hardening, such as arteriosclerosis.