amyelinated
|a-my-el-i-na-ted|
/əˈmaɪəleɪtɪd/
(amyelinate)
without myelin
Etymology
'amyelinated' originates from Neo-Latin/Greek formation: the privative prefix 'a-' meaning 'not' plus 'myelin' (from Greek 'myelos' meaning 'marrow'), together with the English adjectival/past participle ending.
'amyelinated' was formed in English from the verb 'myelinate' (itself from 'myelin' + suffix '-ate'); adding the privative 'a-' produced 'a-' + 'myelinated' yielding the adjective 'amyelinated'.
Initially and historically it has meant 'not having myelin' (absence of a myelin sheath); this core meaning has been retained in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
to be or become without myelin; (rare) to deprive of myelin.
During early development some fibers remain amyelinated for extended periods.
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Adjective 1
lacking a myelin sheath; not myelinated (used of nerve fibers or cells).
Many small-diameter axons in the peripheral nervous system are amyelinated.
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Last updated: 2025/10/10 11:42