amyloidosis \am`y*loi*do"sis\ ([a^]m`[i^]*loi*d[=o]"s[i^]s), n.
(Med.)
A disorder characterized by deposit of extracellular
amyloid[2] in organs or tissues in an amount that interferes
with normal function of the affected organ; it is often
secondary to chronic rheumatoid arthritis or tuberculosis or
multiple myeloma. Called also {amyloid degeneration} {waxy
degeneration} and {lardaceous degeneration}.
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amyloid \am"y*loid\ ([a^]m"[i^]*loid), n.
1. A starchlike substance.
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2. (Med.) Any of a group of diverse starchlike glycoproteins
deposited in the organs under some pathological
conditions, such as amyloidosis; they are composed of
linear nonbranching fibrils when viewed under the electron
microscope. --Stedman 25
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{Amyloid degeneration} (Med.), Same as {amyloidosis}; --
called also {waxy degeneration} or {lardaceous
degeneration}.
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Degeneration \De*gen`er*a"tion\, n. [Cf. F.
d['e]g['e]n['e]ration.]
1. The act or state of growing worse, or the state of having
become worse; decline; degradation; debasement;
degeneracy; deterioration.
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Our degeneration and apostasy. --Bates.
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2. (Physiol.) That condition of a tissue or an organ in which
its vitality has become either diminished or perverted; a
substitution of a lower for a higher form of structure;
as, fatty degeneration of the liver.
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3. (Biol.) A gradual deterioration, from natural causes, of
any class of animals or plants or any particular organ or
organs; hereditary degradation of type.
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4. The thing degenerated. [R.]
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Cockle, aracus, . . . and other degenerations. --Sir
T. Browne.
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{Amyloid degeneration}, {Caseous degeneration}, etc. See
under {Amyloid}, {Caseous}, etc.
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