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dys·tro·phy

(dĭstrə-fē) also dys·tro·phi·a (dĭ-strōfē-ə)

1. Any of various unrelated, noninfectious, often genetic disorders characterized by progressive deterioration or structural alteration of a body part.

2. A degenerative disorder caused by inadequate or defective nutrition. No longer in scientific use.

3. Ecology The condition of being dystrophic.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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