Main Entry: os·teo·ar·thri·tis

Pronunciation: \ˌäs-tē-ō-är-ˈthrīt-əs\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural os·teo·ar·thrit·i·des \-ˈthrit-ə-ˌdēz\

: arthritis typically with onset during middle or old age that is characterized by degenerative and sometimes hypertrophic changes in the bone and cartilage of one or more joints and a progressive wearing down of apposing joint surfaces with consequent distortion of joint position and is marked symptomatically especially by pain, swelling, and stiffness—abbreviation OA; called also degenerative arthritis, degenerative joint disease, hypertrophic arthritis; compare rheumatoid arthritis

—os·teo·ar·thrit·ic \-ˈthrit-ik\ adjective