Noun: atrophy at-ru-fee
- A decrease in size of an organ caused by disease or disuse
"The muscles showed signs of atrophy after months in a cast";
- wasting, wasting away
- Any weakening or degeneration (especially through lack of use)
"The atrophy of his muscles was a result of months of inactivity";
- withering
- Undergo atrophy
"Muscles that are not used will atrophy"
Derived forms: atrophies, atrophying, atrophied
Type of: shrink, shrivel, shrivel up, symptom, weakening, wither
Encyclopedia: Atrophy