/ˈætrəfi/
at·ro·phy
BrE /ˈætrəfi/
NAmE /ˈætrəfi/
[U] (medical)
the condition of losing flesh, muscle, strength, etc. in a part of the body because it does not have enough blood
(figurative, formal) The cultural life of the country will sink into atrophy unless more writers and artists emerge.
at·ro·phy
BrE /ˈætrəfi/
NAmE /ˈætrəfi/
[I]
if a part of the body atrophies, it becomes weak because it is not used or because it does not have enough blood
patients whose muscles have atrophied
(figurative) Memory can atrophy through lack of use.
▸
at·ro·phied
BrE /ˈætrəfid/
NAmE /ˈætrəfid/
atrophied muscles
atrophied religious values