Anchylosis

2 definitions found

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

  anchylosis \an`chy*lo"sis\, ankylosis
  \an`ky*lo"sis\([a^][ng]`k[i^]*l[=o]"s[i^]s), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
     'agky`lwsis, fr. 'agkyloy^n to crook, stiffen, fr. 'agky`los
     crooked: cf. F. ankylose.]
     1. (Med.) The process of formation of a stiff joint; also,
        the abnormal adhesion and rigidity of the bones of a joint


        which has become stiff. --Dunglison.
        [1913 Webster + AS]
  
     2. (Anat.) The union of two or more separate bones to from a
        single bone; the close union of bones or other structures
        in various animals.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  anchylosis
       n : abnormal adhesion and rigidity of the bones of a joint [syn:
            {ankylosis}]