Rachitis

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Rachitis \Ra*chi"tis\ (r[.a]*k[imac]"t[i^]s), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
     "rachi^tis (sc. nosos), fr. "ra`chis, -ios, the spine.]
     [Written also {rhachitis}.]
     1. (Med.) Literally, inflammation of the spine, but commonly
        applied to the rickets. See {Rickets}.
        [1913 Webster]


  
     2. (Bot.) A disease which produces abortion in the fruit or
        seeds. --Henslow.
        [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Rickets \Rick"ets\, n. pl. [Of uncertain origin; but cf. AS.
     wrigian to bend, D. wrikken to shake, E. wriggle.] (Med.)
     A disease which affects children, and which is characterized
     by a bulky head, crooked spine and limbs, depressed ribs,
     enlarged and spongy articular epiphyses, tumid abdomen, and
     short stature, together with clear and often premature mental
     faculties. The essential cause of the disease appears to be
     the nondeposition of earthy salts in the osteoid tissues.
     Children afflicted with this malady stand and walk
     unsteadily. Called also {rachitis}.
     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  rachitis
       n 1: inflammation of the vertebral column
       2: childhood disease caused by deficiency of vitamin D and
          sunlight associated with impaired metabolism of calcium
          and phosphorus [syn: {rickets}]