[ 'atrəfi ]
■ verb ( atrophies , ~ing , atrophied )
1》 (of body tissue or an organ) waste away, especially as a result of the degeneration of cells, or become vestigial during evolution.
2》 gradually decline in effectiveness or vigour.
■ noun the condition or process of ~ing.
Derivatives
atrophic ə'trɒfɪk adjective
Origin
C16: from Fr. atrophier (v.), atrophie (n.), from late L. atrophia , from Gk, 'lack of food'.