sclerosis

[skli-roh-sis]

noun

plural

scleroses 

1. Pathology.,  a hardening or induration of a tissue or part, or an increase of connective tissue or the like at the expense of more active tissue.

2. Botany.,  a hardening of a tissue or cell wall by thickening or lignification.

sclerosis

/ sklɪəˈrəʊsɪs /

noun

1. pathol a hardening or thickening of organs, tissues, or vessels from chronic inflammation, abnormal growth of fibrous tissue, or degeneration of the myelin sheath of nerve fibres, or (esp on the inner walls of arteries) deposition of fatty plaques Compare arteriosclerosis atherosclerosis multiple sclerosis

2. the hardening of a plant cell wall or tissue by the deposition of lignin

3. a debilitating lack of progress or innovation within an institution or organization

Other Word Forms

• sclerosal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sclerosis¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin < Greek sklḗrōsis hardening. See scler-, -osis

Word History and Origins

Origin of sclerosis¹

C14: via Medieval Latin from Greek sklērōsis a hardening

Example Sentences

She has multiple sclerosis and uses a wheelchair.

From Los Angeles Times

He was hired as a support act for Engelbert Humperdinck's Las Vegas residency in 1988, before receiving his multiple sclerosis diagnosis a short time later.

From BBC

The case that landed Jim before the Supreme Court started during one of the hardest periods of his life, when John was dying from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease.

From Los Angeles Times

In June 1939, after a week of extensive testing at the Mayo Clinic, Lou Gehrig announced to the world that he had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

From Los Angeles Times

Dane revealed in April that he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a.k.a.

From Los Angeles Times