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scoliosis

[ skoh-lee-oh-sis, skol-ee- ]
/ ˌskoʊ liˈoʊ sɪs, ˌskɒl i- /
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noun Pathology.
an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine.

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Compare kyphosis, lordosis.

Origin of scoliosis

First recorded in 1700–10, scoliosis is from the Greek word skolíōsis a bending

OTHER WORDS FROM scoliosis

sco·li·ot·ic [skoh-lee-ot-ik], /ˌskoʊ liˈɒt ɪk/, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use scoliosis in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for scoliosis

scoliosis
/ (ˌskɒlɪˈəʊsɪs) /

noun
pathol an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine, of congenital origin or caused by trauma or disease of the vertebrae or hipbonesCompare kyphosis, lordosis

Derived forms of scoliosis

scoliotic (ˌskɒlɪˈɒtɪk), adjective

Word Origin for scoliosis

C18: from New Latin, from Greek: a curving, from skolios bent
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

Scientific definitions for scoliosis

scoliosis
[ skō′lē-ōsĭs ]

A lateral curvature of the spine, usually having no known cause and occurring most commonly in preteen and adolescent girls.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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