dystrophy

[ 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

Derived 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

Muscular dystrophy is a genetic disorder which usually affects young males, resulting in progressive muscle degeneration.

From BBC

Boccia is one of three Paralympic-specific sports which has no Olympic counterpart and is for athletes with conditions such as severe cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy that affects all four limbs.

From BBC

Sarah was diagnosed with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, a progressive muscle disease, when she was 16 years old, and lost the ability to walk in her late 30s.

From BBC

Lucy received a diagnosis of muscular dystrophy when she was 16; now in her early 20s, she has been managing the disease long enough to laugh about it with a trace of cynicism.

From New York Times

Sam Bell's son William, 10, has a severe and life-limiting form of muscular dystrophy, which causes respiratory problems and is taking away his ability to walk.

From BBC