sclerotic

1 of 2

adjective

scle·​rot·​ic sklə-ˈrä-tik 

1

a

medical : of, relating to, or affected with sclerosis (see sclerosis sense 1)

sclerotic arteries

sclerotic bone lesions

b

: grown rigid or unresponsive especially with age : unable or reluctant to adapt or compromise

a sclerotic system/bureaucracy

the country's sclerotic economy

The upheaval in Egypt, Libya, Bahrain and elsewhere is driven by popular revulsion with sclerotic, corrupt leadership.

—Rachel Bronson

2

anatomy : being or relating to the sclera

the sclerotic coat of the eye

sclerotic

2 of 2

noun

: sclera

Examples of sclerotic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The volume of its head, on which its big, sclerotic jaws occupy significant real estate, is the biggest among all other species of cockroach—composing 11% of the total volume of its body. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024

Two days later, Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt and appeared, for the moment, an indestructible electoral force, barely challenged by the sclerotic octogenarian in the White House. —Nate Jones, Vulture, 20 Aug. 2024

Multiple sclerotic bureaucracies are competing to extend their mandate to include regulation of bitcoin. —Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

Lacking support from Philly’s somewhat sclerotic GOP both then and now, Oh ran multiple times before capturing a council seat in 2011. —Yiyun Li, Harper's Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Medieval Latin sclerotica, from Greek *sklērōtos, verbal of Greek sklēroun to harden

First Known Use

Adjective

1543, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1690, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing sclerotic

• sclerotic coat

Kids Definition

sclerotic

1 of 2 adjective

scle·​rot·​ic sklə-ˈrät-ik 

1

: being or relating to the sclera

2

: of, relating to, or affected with sclerosis

sclerotic

2 of 2 noun

: sclera

Medical Definition

sclerotic

1 of 2 adjective

scle·​rot·​ic sklə-ˈrät-ik 

1

: being or relating to the sclera

the sclerotic layer of the eye

2

: of, relating to, or affected with sclerosis

a sclerotic blood vessel

sclerotic

2 of 2 noun

: sclera