sclerosis

What it means

1. countableuncountablemedicineThe abnormal hardening of body tissues, such as an artery; the appearance of hardenings, indurations, lesions, nodules.

   The “Euphoria” and “Grey’s Anatomy” actor announced on Thursday that he has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

   2025 April 10, Dan Heching, “Eric Dane shares that he has been diagnosed with ALS”, in CNN

   Synonyms: hardening, fibrosis, induration

2. countableuncountableInability to create change or excessive resistance to change.

   Suppressing dissent dooms the society to sclerosis, decline and collapse.

   2019 December 6, Charles Hugh Smith, Suppressing Dissent Guarantees Disorder and Collapse

In a sentence

The “Euphoria” and “Grey’s Anatomy” actor announced on Thursday that he has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

2025 April 10, Dan Heching, “Eric Dane shares that he has been diagnosed with ALS”, in CNN

Where it comes from

1. Ancient Greekσκλήρωσις“hardening”
2. Englishsclerosis

From Ancient Greek σκλήρωσις (sklḗrōsis, “hardening”), from σκληρόω (sklēróō, “to harden”), from σκληρός (sklērós, “hard”); by surface analysis, sclero- + -osis.