athetosis

[ ath-i-toh-sis ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. a condition, chiefly in children, of slow, involuntary, wormlike movements of the fingers, toes, hands, and feet, usually resulting from a brain lesion.

athetosis

/ ˌæθəˈtəʊsɪs /

noun

1. pathol a condition characterized by uncontrolled rhythmic writhing movement, esp of fingers, hands, head, and tongue, caused by cerebral lesion

Derived Forms

• ˈatheˌtoid, adjective

Other Words From

• athe·tosic ath·e·tot·ic [ath-i-, tot, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of athetosis¹

1870–75; < Greek áthet ( os ) not placed ( a- a- ⁶ + thetós, equivalent to the- (stem of tithénai to set, put) + -tos verbid suffix) + -osis

Word History and Origins

Origin of athetosis¹

C19: from Greek athetos not in place, from a- ¹+ tithenai to place

Example Sentences

The question may indeed be asked whether pseudo-athetosis and variable chorea are not really identical.

From Project Gutenberg

More unusual is the rhythmical closing and opening of the hand, successively, of athetosis.

From Project Gutenberg