arthrotropic
|ar-thro-trop-ic|
🇺🇸
/ˌɑrθrəˈtrɑpɪk/
🇬🇧
/ˌɑːθrəˈtrɒpɪk/
directed toward joints / affinity for joints
Etymology
'arthrotropic' originates from Greek, specifically the elements 'arthron' and 'tropos', where 'arthron' meant 'joint' and 'tropos' meant 'turn' or 'direction'.
'arthrotropic' was formed in modern scientific/medical English from the Greek roots via Neo-Latin/modern coinage (compare Neo-Latin formations such as 'arthrotropism'), becoming used in 19th–20th century medical literature and eventually entering general specialist usage as 'arthrotropic'.
Initially a literal compound meaning 'turning toward joints', it evolved into its current technical usage meaning 'having an affinity for or preferentially affecting joints' (especially describing tropism of pathogens or tissues).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
having an affinity for or directed toward joints; exhibiting tropism for joints (used in medical or biological contexts to describe pathogens, cells, or processes that preferentially affect joints).
The virus was found to be arthrotropic, causing inflammation primarily in joint tissues.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/23 13:12