anchylose: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (Technical/Literary)Formal, Technical (Medical/Anatomical), Archaic/Literary
Quick answer
What does “anchylose” mean?
To stiffen or become stiff, especially a joint, by abnormal adhesion of bones.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To stiffen or become stiff, especially a joint, by abnormal adhesion of bones.
To fuse or become fused together, resulting in immobility; can be used metaphorically for things becoming rigidly fixed or stuck.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties now strongly prefer the spelling 'ankylose'. 'Anchylose' is an archaic variant that may occasionally appear in older British texts, but is obsolete in modern medical and general use. No distinction in meaning.
Connotations
The 'ch' spelling may evoke 19th-century medical literature or a deliberately archaic literary style.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary use in either variety. The modern standard term is 'ankylose'.
Grammar
How to Use “anchylose” in a Sentence
[Joint/Spine] anchyloses (intransitive)be/become anchylosed (passive/adj.)The disease anchylosed [the joint] (transitive, rare)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “anchylose” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- If left untreated, the vertebrae may anchylose, leading to a rigid spine.
- The old injury caused the bones to anchylose over decades.
American English
- In severe cases, the joints can anchylose completely.
- The disease process anchylosed his sacroiliac joints.
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverbial form. Rare/constructed:] The joint healed anchylosedly, leaving it stiff.
American English
- [No standard adverbial form.]
adjective
British English
- The patient presented with an anchylosed knee joint.
- An anchylosed spine severely limits mobility.
American English
- The X-ray revealed an anchylosed ankle.
- Surgery was considered for the anchylosed elbow.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used historically in medical literature; now replaced by 'ankylose'. May appear in historical or philological texts discussing language change.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Obsolete in modern medicine (rheumatology, orthopaedics). The modern term is 'ankylose' as in Ankylosing Spondylitis.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “anchylose”
- Using 'anchylose' instead of the modern standard 'ankylose'.
- Misspelling as 'ankleose' or 'anchilose'.
- Using it transitively too freely (e.g., 'The surgeon anchylosed the joint' is archaic; modern phrasing would be 'caused ankylosis of').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'ankylose' is the standard modern spelling in both medical and general use. 'Anchylose' is an archaic variant.
There is no difference in meaning. 'Anchylose' is simply an older, now obsolete spelling of 'ankylose'.
Yes, though it is very rare. It can be used in literary contexts to describe ideas, institutions, or attitudes becoming rigidly fixed and immobile, e.g., 'anchylosed traditions'.
For active use, no. You should learn 'ankylose' for medical contexts. Recognising 'anchylose' is only important for reading older texts or understanding etymology.
To stiffen or become stiff, especially a joint, by abnormal adhesion of bones.
Anchylose is usually formal, technical (medical/anatomical), archaic/literary in register.
Anchylose: in British English it is pronounced /ˈæŋkɪləʊz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæŋkɪloʊs/ (verb), /ˈæŋkɪloʊs/ or /æŋˈkaɪloʊs/ (less common for verb). Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms. Potential metaphorical use:] 'Old prejudices had anchylosed his thinking.'”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an ANCHOR (anch-) causing two bones to LOSE (lose) their ability to move separately, fusing them stiff.
Conceptual Metaphor
STIFFNESS IS FUSION / RIGIDITY IS ADHESION (e.g., 'anchylosed opinions').
Practice
Quiz
In which context would you most likely encounter the spelling 'anchylose' today?