sclerosis

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noun scle·ro·sis \ sklə-ˈrō-səs \

Definition of sclerosis

1 :pathological hardening of tissue especially from overgrowth of fibrous tissue or increase in interstitial tissue; also :a disease characterized by sclerosis

2 :an inability or reluctance to adapt or compromise

political sclerosis

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Recent Examples of sclerosis from the Web

Employees gather in the auditorium for quarterly visits from inspirational speakers such as Wendy Booker, the first person with multiple sclerosis to reach the summit of Denali, the highest mountain in North America.

— sarah gish, kansascity, "Ten KC companies that spoil employees with unbelievable perks," 30 Aug. 2017
It had not been previously disclosed that Shepard suffered from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

— maria puente, The Courier-Journal, "Playwright/actor Sam Shepard dies at 73," 31 July 2017
The company, which makes pain-control drugs as well as H.P. Acthar, an injectable gel prescribed for multiple sclerosis and other diseases, has lobbied on issues related to opioids, patents, Medicare and other matters, regulatory filings show.

— jay hancock, Kaiser Health News, "Follow The Money: Drugmakers Deploy Political Cash As Prices And Anger Mount," 24 July 2017
Rehabilitation and wheelchair sports program empowering veterans with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, amputations and other neurological injuries to live more active and healthy lives through wheelchair sports and recreation.

— luann gibbs, Cincinnati.com, "Free and fun events this weekend: July 21-23," 20 July 2017
Rehabilitation and wheelchair sports program empowering veterans with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, amputations and other neurological injuries to live more active and healthy lives through wheelchair sports and recreation.

— rasputin todd, Cincinnati.com, "Things to do this week: July 17-23," 17 July 2017
Melone was first diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at age 14.

— jon j. kerr, chicagotribune.com, "Hockey players fight multiple sclerosis at Vernon Hills fundraiser," 10 July 2017
With hundreds of medical centers around the world claiming to be able to repair tissue damaged by conditions such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease, tackling unscrupulous advertising of such procedures is crucial.

— Washington Post, "‘Stem-cell tourism’ needs tighter controls, say medical experts," 8 July 2017
His mother is managing her multiple sclerosis, and his entire extended family has come to some peace about the abrupt death two summers ago of his stepmother from an aggressive form of metastatic cancer.

— sam donnellon, Philly.com, "Flyers prospect Pascal Laberge is out to revive his dream after nightmare season," 7 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sclerosis.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of sclerosis

Middle English sclirosis tumor, from Medieval Latin, from Greek sklērōsis hardening, from sklēroun to harden, from sklēros

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First Known Use: 1846

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Other Medicine Terms

analgesia, angina, diabetes, hepatitis, homeopathy, logorrhea, palliate, pandemic

SCLEROSIS Defined for English Language Learners

sclerosis

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noun

Definition of sclerosis for English Language Learners

medical : a disease in which soft parts inside the body (such as arteries or muscles) become hard

Medical Dictionary

sclerosis

play

noun scle·ro·sis \ sklə-ˈrō-səs \

medical Definition of sclerosis

plural scleroses play \-ˌsēz\

1 :a pathological condition in which a tissue has become hard and which is produced by overgrowth of fibrous tissue and other changes (as in arteriosclerosis) or by increase in interstitial tissue and other changes (as in multiple sclerosis) — called also hardening

2 :any of various diseases characterized by sclerosis —usually used in combination — see arteriosclerosis, multiple sclerosis, myelosclerosis

Learn More about sclerosis

See words that rhyme with sclerosis Spanish Central: Translation of sclerosis Nglish: Translation of sclerosis for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of sclerosis for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sclerosis

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sclerosis

Definition of sclerosis

Recent Examples of sclerosis from the Web

Origin and Etymology of sclerosis

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SCLEROSIS Defined for English Language Learners

sclerosis

Definition of sclerosis for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

sclerosis

medical Definition of sclerosis

Learn More about sclerosis

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