'atrophy' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'atrophia', where 'a-' meant 'without' and 'trophē' meant 'nourishment'.

'atrophy' changed from Greek 'atrophia' into Late Latin 'atrophia' and Old French/Medieval forms (e.g. French 'atrophie'), and eventually entered modern English as 'atrophy' in medical usage.

Initially it meant 'lack of nourishment leading to wasting'; over time it evolved into the broader modern sense 'wasting away or decline in effectiveness or vigor'.