arthritis
UK: ɑːˈθraɪtɪs | US: ɑːrˈθraɪtɪs
n. a medical condition characterized by inflammation and stiffness in the joints, often causing pain and reduced mobility.
arthritis = arthr<joint> + itis<inflammation>
- arthr: From Greek arthron, meaning "joint." This morpheme appears in medical terms like arthroplasty (joint surgery) and arthropod (joint-footed animals).
- itis: A suffix from Greek -itis, denoting inflammation. Commonly used in medical terminology (e.g., tonsillitis, bronchitis).
Etymology Origin:
The word arthritis originates from Greek arthron (joint) + -itis (inflammation), directly translating to "joint inflammation." This logical construction reflects ancient Greek medical knowledge, where diseases were often named by combining body parts with descriptive suffixes. The term has retained its precise anatomical focus in modern medicine.
My grandmother suffers from chronic arthritis in her knees.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder affecting multiple joints.
The doctor prescribed medication to reduce the pain caused by arthritis.
Swimming is often recommended for people with arthritis because it’s gentle on the joints.
Early diagnosis can help manage the progression of arthritis effectively.