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# The Good Oil Word of the Day
- URL: https://goodoil.news/the-good-oil-word-of-the-day-153/
- Published: 2024-12-31T17:15:38.000Z
- Updated: 2024-12-31T17:15:37.000Z
- Author: David Theobald
- Tags: General, Word of the Day

The word for today is…

atrophy (noun, verb):

*noun*  
1: decrease in size or wasting away of a body part or tissue  
also : arrested development or loss of a part or organ incidental to the normal development or life of an animal or plant  
2: a wasting away or progressive decline

*verb*  
: to waste away (as from disease or disuse) : to undergo atrophy

Source : [Merriam -Webster](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atrophy?ref=goodoil.news)

Etymology : From its literal Greek roots, atrophy would mean basically "lack of nourishment". Although the English word doesn't usually imply any lack of food, it always refers to a wasting away. Those who have been bedridden for a period of time will notice that their muscles have atrophied. And muscular atrophy is a frequent result of such diseases as cancer and neurological degenerative disorders. We also use atrophy in a much more general sense. After being out of work a few years, you may find your work skills have atrophied; someone who's been living an isolated life may discover the same thing about his or her social skills; and a democracy can atrophy when its citizens cease to pay attention to how they're being governed

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