scoliosis

noun

sco·li·o·sis ˌskō-lē-ˈō-səs

plural scolioses ˌskō-lē-ˈō-ˌsēz

: a lateral curvature of the spine

scoliotic

ˌskō-lē-ˈä-tik

adjective

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web AmieLynn, who developed scoliosis while conjoined, is given additional medicine. —

Noor Adatia, Dallas News, 13 Apr. 2023 It is often used to evaluate skeletal issues, such as scoliosis or limb-length discrepancies. —

Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 18 Apr. 2022 This walk to the altar was significant, as her scoliosis diagnosis could've prevented the sweet moment if not for her surgery. —

Ariana Quihuiz, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2023 June is awareness month for Alzheimer’s, cataracts, migraines and headaches, scoliosis, myasthenia gravis (an autoimmune disorder affecting nerves and muscles), aphasia (loss of ability to speak or understand speech), post-traumatic stress disorder and men’s health. —

Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2022 His bones showed 10 battle wounds, including two to the body and eight to the head, as well as evidence of scoliosis. —

Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 19 Jan. 2022 Gray says she’s had 18 surgeries to date, including one to insert rods into her spine to help correct the effects of scoliosis. —

Mary Colurso | Mcolurso@al.com, al, 13 Jan. 2022 The cause of my misery remained a mystery until almost a decade later, when I was finally diagnosed with mild scoliosis—a slight bend at my shoulder blades throws my neck out of alignment, which is exacerbated by the ergonomics of keyboards and monitors. —

Aleta Burchyski, Outside Online, 4 Sep. 2020 There have been reports of whales with scoliosis, but researchers found whales developed the condition from a blunt traumatic injury, like a ship collision. —

Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scoliosis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin scoliōsis, borrowed from Greek skolíōsis "slanted or crooked state, curvature of the spine," from skoliō-, variant stem of skolióomai, skolioûsthai "to be bent or crooked" (verbal derivative of skoliós "bent, crooked, askew") + -sis -sis — more at isosceles

First Known Use

circa 1706, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of scoliosis was circa 1706

See more words from the same year