ankylose: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare / Very Low Frequency (C2 level)Technical / Medical / Formal
Quick answer
What does “ankylose” mean?
(Of bones or joints) to stiffen, grow together, or become fixed in position by ankylosis (bony fusion).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
(Of bones or joints) to stiffen, grow together, or become fixed in position by ankylosis (bony fusion).
By extension, to become rigid, stiff, or immobilized, often implying a pathological or undesirable state of fixity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling is identical. Usage is equally rare and technical in both varieties. The noun form 'ankylosis' is marginally more common.
Connotations
Medical/clinical term with strong negative connotations of loss of function and mobility.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both. Found almost exclusively in orthopedic, rheumatological, or paleopathological texts.
Grammar
How to Use “ankylose” in a Sentence
[Subject: joint/bone] + ankylose (intransitive)[Object: joint] + be + ankylosed (transitive passive)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “ankylose” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- If left untreated, the sacroiliac joint may ankylose completely.
- The surgeon noted the vertebrae had begun to ankylose post-trauma.
American English
- In severe cases, the small joints of the hand can ankylose.
- The fracture was so severe that the bones ankylosed in a misaligned position.
adverb
British English
- (None standard. Potential derived form: 'ankylosingly', but this is non-existent in practice.)
American English
- (None standard. Potential derived form: 'ankylosingly', but this is non-existent in practice.)
adjective
British English
- (Derived: ankylosed) The patient presented with an ankylosed knee joint.
- An X-ray revealed ankylosed facets in the spinal column.
American English
- (Derived: ankylosed) The goal of surgery was to correct the ankylosed elbow.
- They studied the ankylosed remains from the archaeological site.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical, biological, and anthropological research papers (e.g., describing fossilized bone pathologies).
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Core context. Found in clinical notes, surgical reports, rheumatology textbooks, and discussions of conditions like ankylosing spondylitis.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “ankylose”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “ankylose”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ankylose”
- Using it as a common synonym for 'stiffen' (e.g., 'My neck ankylosed overnight').
- Incorrect spelling: 'ankyloze', 'ancilose'.
- Mispronunciation: /ænˈkaɪ.loʊs/ (stress on second syllable).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very rare, technical term used almost exclusively in medical and related scientific fields.
'Stiffen' is a general term for becoming less flexible. 'Ankylose' is a specific medical term meaning for bones or a joint to become fused together into a single, rigid structure, often through pathological bony growth.
Its primary and standard use is for skeletal structures. In metaphorical or highly specialized technical writing, it might be extended to describe other things becoming rigidly fused (e.g., 'the political factions ankylosed into opposing blocs'), but this is exceptional and not standard.
The noun form is 'ankylosis' (pronounced /ˌæŋ.kɪˈləʊ.sɪs/ in GB, /ˌæŋ.kɪˈloʊ.sɪs/ in US), which refers to the abnormal stiffening and immobility of a joint due to fusion of the bones.
(Of bones or joints) to stiffen, grow together, or become fixed in position by ankylosis (bony fusion).
Ankylose is usually technical / medical / formal in register.
Ankylose: in British English it is pronounced /ˈæŋ.kɪ.ləʊz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæŋ.kɪ.loʊs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(none specific; term is purely technical)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'ankle' + 'close'. Imagine an ankle joint closing up and fusing shut, becoming stiff (ankylose).
Conceptual Metaphor
JOINT IS A HINGE; ANKYLOSE IS THE HINGE FUSING/WELDING SHUT.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the verb 'ankylose' be MOST appropriately used?