n. pl. scle·ro·ses (-sēz) 1. a. A thickening or hardening of a body part, as of an artery, especially from excessive formation of fibrous interstitial tissue. b. A disease characterized by this thickening or hardening. 2. Botany The hardening of cells by the formation of a secondary wall and the deposition of lignin. [Middle English sclirosis, from Medieval Latin sclīrōsis, from Greek sklērōsis, hardening, from sklēroun, to harden; see SCLEROMA.] |
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