atrophy — the gradual decline in effectiveness or vigor due to underuse or neglect
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: the gradual decline in effectiveness or vigor due to underuse or neglect
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈætrəfi/
Example Sentences
- After binge-watching TV for a month, my social skills began to atrophy faster than my remote control batteries died.
- The company's innovation began to atrophy when they stopped investing in research.
- His cooking skills atrophied so much during college that he once tried to microwave cereal.
atrophy
NOUN[/ˈætrəfi/]
the gradual decline in effectiveness or vigor due to underuse or neglect
After months in a cast, his leg muscles atrophy and look noticeably thinner.
A(without) + TROPHY(nourishment) — left entirely A(without) healthy TROPHY(nourishment), the giant green plant began to rapidly atrophy and shrink.
The broken leg was a terrible catastrophe, causing the powerful athlete's muscles to slowly atrophy.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Greek 'atrophia', derived from 'a-' (without) and 'trophe' (nourishment). The word entered English in the 17th century through medical terminology to describe the wasting away of body tissues.
Breakdown
a- (without) + trophe (nourishment) + -y (noun suffix) = atrophy
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“After binge-watching TV for a month, my social skills began to atrophy faster than my remote control batteries died.”
“The company's innovation began to atrophy when they stopped investing in research.”
“His cooking skills atrophied so much during college that he once tried to microwave cereal.”
“Regular exercise prevents muscle atrophy in elderly patients.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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