dystrophy

Also dys·tro·phi·a

[dis-truh-fee]

noun

1. Medicine/Medical.,  faulty or inadequate nutrition or development.

2. Pathology.,  any of a number of disorders characterized by weakening, degeneration, or abnormal development of muscle.

3. Ecology.,  the state of being dystrophic.

dystrophy

/ dɪsˈtrɒfɪk, ˈdɪstrəfɪ, dɪˈstrəʊfɪə /

noun

1. any of various bodily disorders, characterized by wasting of tissues See also muscular dystrophy

2. ecology a condition of lake water when it is too acidic and poor in oxygen to support life, resulting from excessive humus content

Other Word Forms

• dystrophic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dystrophy¹

From the New Latin word dystrophia, dating back to 1885–90. See dys-, -trophy

Word History and Origins

Origin of dystrophy¹

C19: New Latin dystrophia, from _dys- + Greek trophē food

Example Sentences

Tiffany Watson, who used to swim to help her muscular dystrophy, urged councils to reconsider.

From BBC

At the age of two, Toby Addison was diagnosed with early onset rod cone dystrophy and retinitis pigmentosa, which meant his eyesight would slowly deteriorate.

From BBC

Jackson began this tour a year after revealing his struggles with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a nerve condition related to muscular dystrophy and Parkinson’s disease that impacts his motor skills.

From Los Angeles Times

Prof Booth said the success of the trial opens doors for gene therapy to be used in a number of conditions, including cancer and muscular dystrophy.

From BBC

A 12-year-old boy with a severe form of muscular dystrophy has said it is "cruel" that a new drug is not being made available in Northern Ireland.

From BBC