atrophied
|a-tro-phied|
🇺🇸
/ˈætrəfi/
🇬🇧
/əˈtrɒfi/
(atrophy)
wasting away
Etymology
'atrophy' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'atrophia', where 'a-' meant 'not' and 'trophe' meant 'nourishment'.
'atrophy' changed from Late Latin/Medieval Latin 'atrophia' into Modern English 'atrophy' (via New Latin and Middle English medical usage).
Initially, it meant 'lack of nourishment', and over time it evolved into the current meaning 'wasting away or decline (of tissue or function)'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
past tense or past participle form of 'atrophy' (to waste away; to decline or be reduced, especially body tissue or an organization, from disuse or lack of nourishment).
After several months in bed, his leg muscles had atrophied.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/19 08:56