Atrophous

/əˈtroʊfəs/ adjective

Definition

Relating to or affected by atrophy; characterized by wasting away or degeneration.

Etymology

From 'atrophy' (Greek 'a-' without + 'trophe' nourishment) + '-ous' (adjective suffix). A variant form alongside 'atrophic' that emphasizes the wasting characteristic.

Kelly Says

'Atrophous' is an old-fashioned way to say what we now call 'atrophic'—if you're reading a medical book from the 1800s, you'll see 'atrophous' used for tissue that's shriveling up!

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