rachitic
|ra-chi-tic|
/rəˈkɪtɪk/
relating to rickets (soft, weakened bones)
Etymology
'rachitic' originates from New Latin/medical Latin, specifically the word 'rachitis', which in turn comes from Greek 'rhachis' meaning 'spine' or 'backbone'.
'rachitic' developed from Greek 'rhachis' → New/Medical Latin 'rachitis' (referring to a disease of the spine/bones) → English adjective 'rachitic' formed to describe conditions like rickets.
Initially connected to the Greek root meaning 'spine' or 'backbone', the term came to denote the disease affecting bones (rickets) and now means 'relating to or affected by rickets'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
noun form related to 'rachitic' used historically or medically to refer to rickets or the condition of rickets (rare in modern usage).
In older medical texts the term 'rachitis' is used for what we now call rickets.
Synonyms
Adjective 1
relating to, caused by, or characteristic of rickets; having the qualities of rickets (softening and weakening of the bones, especially in children, typically due to vitamin D deficiency).
The X-ray showed rachitic changes in the child's long bones.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adverb 1
adverbial form meaning 'in a rachitic manner' (very rare).
The old description noted that the bones healed rachitically after prolonged deficiency.
Last updated: 2025/11/17 21:41