Atrophy
To waste away or deteriorate in function, typically of tissue or organs; to lose size, vigor, or strength.
verbAtrophy
To waste away or deteriorate in function, typically of tissue or organs; to lose size, vigor, or strength.
verbImagine This
Tom was sorry to see the trophies belonging to his grandparents wasting away and collecting dust in the attic.
Sounds Like
AT-ruh-fee
Looks Like
A trophy
Remember This
In medical terms, atrophy refers to the shrinking or wasting away of tissue (such as muscle or brain tissue) due to disuse, aging, or disease.
Other Forms
Connect With
Deteriorate, waste away, wither, degenerate, decline
Note
Do not confuse with 'atrophy' used figuratively to mean a decline in efficiency; the word specifically refers to physical wasting away or degeneration of tissue.
Study Deeper
- If a limb is immobilized for weeks, the muscles may atrophy.
- Muscle tissue will atrophy when it is not used regularly.
From Greek a-, without + trophΔ, nourishment; originally meaning 'without nourishment' and later used in biology to describe wasting away of tissue.
Think: A TROPHY that loses its shine and shrinks away as it is not nourishedβthe trophy is atrophying.
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