inward-growing
|in-ward-grow-ing|
🇺🇸
/ˈɪnwərd ˈɡroʊɪŋ/
🇬🇧
/ˈɪnwəd ˈɡrəʊɪŋ/
internal growth
Etymology
'inward-growing' originates from the combination of 'inward,' meaning 'toward the inside,' and 'growing,' meaning 'to increase in size or develop.'
'Inward' and 'growing' have been used in English since the Middle Ages, with 'inward' deriving from Old English 'inweard' and 'growing' from Old English 'growan.'
Initially, 'inward-growing' referred to any growth directed inward, but it has come to be specifically associated with medical conditions like ingrown nails.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
growing or developing inwardly, often used to describe a condition where something grows into the body rather than outward.
The patient had an inward-growing toenail that required medical attention.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/05/11 20:01