arthritis
UK[ɑːˈθraɪtɪs]US[ɑːrˈθraɪtɪs]
n
A medical condition causing pain and swelling in one or more joints of the body.
Morpheme Breakdown
arthr
itis
arthr
joint
itis
disease/inflammation
Etymology
The word arthritis is a direct borrowing from the Greek 'arthrītis', which itself is formed from 'arthron' (joint) and the suffix '-itis' (pertaining to a disease). The Greek suffix '-itis' was used to form nouns indicating inflammation or disease, a function it retains in modern medical terminology. Thus, the term's literal meaning, "inflammation of the joints," has remained remarkably consistent from its ancient origins to its precise use in contemporary medicine, perfectly encapsulating the condition it describes.
Analysis
Structure: arthr (joint) + itis (disease/inflammation)
arthr is from Greek 'arthron', meaning joint. itis is a suffix from Greek '-itis', denoting a disease or inflammatory condition.
Examples
My grandmother suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, which affects her hands and knees.
Osteoarthritis is a common form of arthritis often associated with aging.
The doctor prescribed medication to reduce the inflammation caused by her arthritis.