hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy n 1: a form of neuropathy that can begin between childhood and young adulthood; characterized by weakness and atrophy of the muscles of the hands and lower legs; progression is slow and individuals affected can have a normal life span; inheritance is X-linked recessive or X-linked dominant [syn: {Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease}, {hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy}]