scoliosis

noun sco·li·o·sis \ ˌskō-lē-ˈō-səs \

Updated on: 3 Apr 2018

Definition of scoliosis

plural scolioses play \ˌskō-lē-ˈō-ˌsēz\

: a lateral curvature of the spine

—

scoliotic

play \ˌskō-lē-ˈä-tik\ adjective

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Recent Examples of scoliosis from the Web

Her small stature and abnormal proportions were likely the result of genetic mutations largely associated with human growth, such as mutations in genes associated with dwarfism and scoliosis.

— julissa treviño, Smithsonian, "Researchers Solve the Mystery of the Atacama ‘Alien’ Mummy," 23 Mar. 2018
He and several other comedians will perform at this benefit for Abigail VanWinkle, a Bonner Springs teen battling lupus and scoliosis.

— dan kelly, kansascity, "KC events March 22-28: D.L. Hughley, Disney on Ice, Yo-Yo Ma, Beatles’ ‘Let It Be’ | The Kansas City Star," 20 Mar. 2018
And now that she is gone, Mr. Barber-Walker is the guardian of his brother, Kenneth Massey, 29, who has seizures, cerebral palsy, scoliosis, arthritis and is blind and partially deaf.

— jeffery c. mays, New York Times, "Tenants Sue New York City Housing Authority: ‘We Have Let Other People Speak for Us for Too Long’," 27 Feb. 2018
The team got a boost last week when 6-9 sophomore Patrick Roberts returned after surgery to correct scoliosis.

— john maffei, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Patriots anything but road weary in SoCal Regional," 16 Mar. 2018
Back pain can also be caused by problems and diseases of internal organs, such as kidney stones, blood infections, scoliosis (an abnormal curvature of the spine), arthritis, and some types of cancer.

— trihealth, Cincinnati.com, "Banishing back pain," 8 Jan. 2018
Two years ago, a battle-worn, scoliosis-riddled skeleton was unearthed beneath a parking lot in Leicester, England.

— william herkewitz, Popular Mechanics, "Scientists Confirm These Really Are the Bones of Richard III," 2 Dec. 2014
But [the child] also had spina bifida, scoliosis, a cleft palate that exposed her brain through her eye sockets, her brain had never developed past 8 weeks, and there was fluid in her brain.

— danielle corcione, Teen Vogue, "15 People Share How Roe v. Wade Changed Their Lives," 22 Jan. 2018
Heidi Reiter has had scoliosis, bone loss and allergies.

— daniel chang, miamiherald, "Millions gained coverage since Obamacare, but many are worse off as premiums soar," 9 Dec. 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of scoliosis

New Latin, from Greek skoliōsis crookedness of a bodily part, from skolios

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1706

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

scoliosis

noun sco·li·o·sis \ ˌskō-lē-ˈō-səs \

medical Definition of scoliosis

plural scolioses play \-ˌsēz\

: a lateral curvature of the spine — compare kyphosis, lordosis 2

—

scoliotic

play \-ˈät-ik\ adjective

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scoliosis

Definition of scoliosis

scoliotic

Recent Examples of scoliosis from the Web

Origin and Etymology of scoliosis

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scoliosis

medical Definition of scoliosis

scoliotic

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scoliotic

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