Atrophy

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈæ.trÉ™.fi/

Origin

From French atrophie, from Latin atrophia, from Ancient Greek ἀτροφία (atrophia, "a wasting away"), from ἄτροφος (atrophos, "ill-fed, un-nourished"), from ἀ- (a-, "not") + τροφή (trophē, "nourishment"), from τρέφω (trephō, "I fatten").

Full definition of atrophy

Noun

1. (pathology) A reduction in the functionality of an organ caused by disease, injury or lack of use.

Verb

1. (intransitive) To wither or waste away.
2. (transitive) To cause to waste away or become abortive; to starve or weaken.

Antonyms

• hypertrophy
• strengthen

Related terms

• atrophic