sclerotic

1 of 2

adjective

scle·​rot·​ic sklə-ˈrä-tik 

1

a

medical : of, relating to, or affected with sclerosis (see sclerosis sense 1)

sclerotic arteries

sclerotic bone lesions

b

: grown rigid or unresponsive especially with age : unable or reluctant to adapt or compromise

a sclerotic system/bureaucracy

the country's sclerotic economy

The upheaval in Egypt, Libya, Bahrain and elsewhere is driven by popular revulsion with sclerotic, corrupt leadership.

—Rachel Bronson

2

anatomy : being or relating to the sclera

the sclerotic coat of the eye

sclerotic

2 of 2

noun

: sclera

Examples of sclerotic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Reliable accounts suggest that his private remarks before the House Republicans were pretty much in keeping with his public appearances these days—sclerotic, rambling, nasty, and often incomprehensible. —Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 13 June 2024

The occupants, including Lang, crawl from the wreckage, unharmed and drolly unfazed except for one sclerotic passenger who claims immediately that someone has stolen all his money. —Jessica Kiang, Variety, 21 May 2024

Partisan deadlock is one structural impediment to a sudden authoritarian breakthrough; so are the anti-democratic filibuster, the sclerotic two-party system, and the lamentably high bar to amending the Constitution. —Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2024

Not surprisingly, the PA has become sclerotic and unpopular. —Raja Khalidi, Foreign Affairs, 19 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Medieval Latin sclerotica, from Greek *sklērōtos, verbal of Greek sklēroun to harden

First Known Use

Adjective

1543, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1690, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing sclerotic

• sclerotic coat

Kids Definition

sclerotic

1 of 2 adjective

scle·​rot·​ic sklə-ˈrät-ik 

1

: being or relating to the sclera

2

: of, relating to, or affected with sclerosis

sclerotic

2 of 2 noun

: sclera

Medical Definition

sclerotic

1 of 2 adjective

scle·​rot·​ic sklə-ˈrät-ik 

1

: being or relating to the sclera

the sclerotic layer of the eye

2

: of, relating to, or affected with sclerosis

a sclerotic blood vessel

sclerotic

2 of 2 noun

: sclera