Words / B2

ah-THRYT-is/ɑːˈθraɪtɪs/

Arthritis is a medical condition in which joints become painful, stiff, and often swollen (usually uncountable): rheumatoid arthritis; osteoarthritis. A joint is the place bones meet (already in the dictionary as shared); inflammation is the process; rheumatism is an older everyday word. Arthritis in the NHS table still needs the type and the age band. Mix-up: arthritis vs artist; arteritis; do not write arthritis for a one-off sprain unless the source names the condition.

Meaning

A medical condition in which joints become painful, stiff, and often swollen (usually uncountable).

Examples

• “Arthritis in the NHS table still needs the type and the age band, not a cream slogan.”
• “Osteoarthritis featured in the ageing case, which is the wear-and-tear sense — still name the joint if given.”

Good to know

rheumatoid / osteo- arthritis; arthritis of the + joint. Related: inflammation / joint. Trap: artist / a sprain not named as arthritis. Biology and PSHE. Painful inflammation of the joints — quote the type and the age band.

Near in meaning

joint inflammation, rheumatism, osteoarthritis

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