dystrophy

[ dis-truh-fee ]
/ ˈdɪs trə fi /

noun

Medicine/Medical. faulty or inadequate nutrition or development.
Pathology. any of a number of disorders characterized by weakening, degeneration, or abnormal development of muscle.
Ecology. the state of being dystrophic.
Also dys·tro·phi·a [dih-stroh-fee-uh] /dɪˈstroʊ fi ə/.

Origin of dystrophy

From the New Latin word dystrophia, dating back to 1885–90. See dys-, -trophy

Words nearby dystrophy

dystrophic, dystrophic calcification, dystrophication, dystrophin, dystrophoneurosis, dystrophy, dysuria, dysversion, dytiscid, dyula, dyushambe

British Dictionary definitions for dystrophy

dystrophy

dystrophia (dɪˈstrəʊfɪə)

/ (ˈdɪstrəfɪ) /

noun

any of various bodily disorders, characterized by wasting of tissues See also muscular dystrophy
ecology a condition of lake water when it is too acidic and poor in oxygen to support life, resulting from excessive humus content

Derived forms of dystrophy

dystrophic (dɪsˈtrɒfɪk), adjective

Word Origin for dystrophy

C19: New Latin dystrophia, from dys- + Greek trophē food

Medical definitions for dystrophy

dystrophy
[ dĭs′trə-fē ]

n.

A degenerative disorder caused by inadequate or defective nutrition.
Any of several disorders, especially muscular dystrophy, in which the muscles weaken and atrophy.

Other words from dystrophy

dys•troph′ic (dĭ-strŏf′ĭk, -strō′fĭk) adj.