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sclerosis definition

scle·ro·sis (skli rō′sis)

noun pl. scleroses -·ses (-sēz′)

  1. Bot. a hardening of the cell wall of a plant, usually by an increase of lignin
  2. Med.
    1. an abnormal hardening of body tissues or parts, esp. of the nervous system or the walls of arteries
    2. a disease characterized by this

Etymology: ME sclirosis < ML < Gr sklērōsis, a hardening < sklēros, hard: see sclera

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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