abiotrophy

9.9

A gradual loss of strength and ability to work in body cells not caused by injury

noun
/ˌeɪbaɪˈɒtrəfi/

Specialized

: abiotrofia

The patient suffered from abiotrophy, leading to progressive muscle weakness.

Examples

Certain neurodegenerative diseases are classified as forms of abiotrophy.
Recent studies investigate the genetic basis of abiotrophy in animal models.
The doctor diagnosed her condition as abiotrophy.
Many cases of abiotrophy are linked to genetic factors.
Certain neurodegenerative diseases are classified as forms of abiotrophy.
The patient suffered from abiotrophy, leading to progressive muscle weakness.
Many cases of abiotrophy are linked to genetic factors.

Synonyms

to atrophy

vsabiotrophy

Specialized

9 7.8

To become smaller and weaker, especially muscles, from not being used

refers to degeneration from internal loss of vitality, not caused by injury

Antonyms

vitality

16 4.6

Ability of a living thing to survive and grow

How Degenerated

necrosis

Specialized

11 8.2

abiotrophy

Specialized

9.9

atrophy

Specialized

12 8.5

degeneration

8 7.5

decline

439 3.9

Surface Forms

abiotrophy singular

abiotrophies plural

Morphology

abiotrophy = biotrophy (opaque) = a + bio + trophy

The target is formed by adding privative a- to the technical term biotrophy, but the resulting medical sense is not transparent to an average learner.

Etymology

The word abiotrophy is built from a- 'without', bio 'life', as in biology, and -trophy 'nourishment'. So it literally means 'without life-nourishment', which is why it describes cells or tissues that slowly lose vitality and waste away.