ankylosis

noun

an·​ky·​lo·​sis ˌaŋ-ki-ˈlō-səs How to pronounce ankylosis (audio)
plural ankyloses ˌaŋ-ki-ˈlō-ˌsēz How to pronounce ankylosis (audio)
1
: stiffness or fixation of a joint by disease or surgery
2
: union of separate bones or hard parts to form a single bone or part
ankylotic adjective

Examples of ankylosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Some joints may stop functioning and actually fuse together, which is called ankylosis. Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 5 June 2024 On the X-ray, one of the early indicators of ankylosis spondylitis is the fusion of the sacroiliac joints—where the spine and the pelvis meet, says Dr. Shamie. Colleen Stinchcombe, Health.com, 21 Jan. 2022

Word History

Etymology

earlier ancylosis, anchylosis, borrowed from New Latin ancylosis, borrowed from Greek ankýlōsis "tongue-tie, stiffening of joints," from ankylō-, variant stem of ankyloûn "to crook, bend" (derivative of ankýlos "bent, crooked, curved") + -sis -sis, angle entry 3

First Known Use

1713, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ankylosis was in 1713

Dictionary Entries Near ankylosis

Cite this Entry

“Ankylosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ankylosis. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

ankylosis

noun
an·​ky·​lo·​sis
variants also anchylosis
plural ankyloses -ˌsēz How to pronounce ankylosis (audio)
: stiffness or fixation of a joint by disease or surgery
ankylotic adjective
also anchylotic
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