Coxarthrocace

/ˌkɒksɑːθroʊˈkeɪsiː/ noun

Definition

Tuberculosis or decay of the hip joint, a serious infectious bone disease affecting the coxal region.

Etymology

From Latin 'coxa' (hip), Greek 'arthron' (joint), and 'kakos' (bad/evil), literally meaning 'bad joint condition'; an archaic term for tubercular hip disease.

Kelly Says

Before antibiotics, tuberculosis commonly attacked the bones and joints—'coxarthrocace' was a dreaded diagnosis that could cripple children and young adults, and learning to recognize it was crucial for 19th-century doctors.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.