Osteoarthritis
/ˌɒs.ti.oʊ.ɑːrˈθraɪ.tɪs/noun
A degenerative joint disease characterized by the breakdown of cartilage and underlying bone.
Did you know?The name is a modern medical coinage from Greek roots, and its final element, -arthritis, comes from a word for “joint,” not “fire” or “curse,” even though the pain can feel like both.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
osteon
“bone”
Ancient Greek
Greek
arthron
“joint”
Ancient Greek
Greek
-itis
“inflammation”
19th Century
English
osteoarthritis
“a medical term for inflammatory or degenerative disease of the bones and joints”
Modern English
English
osteoarthritis
“degenerative joint disease, especially in older adults”
Explore more surprising origins