Growths: meaning, definitions and examples
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growths
[ ɡroʊθs ]
biological development
Growths refer to abnormal outgrowths of tissue on the body or inside organs. They can be benign or malignant and may arise from a variety of causes such as inflammation, infection, or cancer. Medical evaluation is often necessary to determine the nature of a growth.
Synonyms
lesions, masses, nodules, tumors
Examples of usage
- The doctor examined the growths on her skin.
- He was referred to a specialist for the growths found in his lungs.
- Some growths require surgical removal for diagnosis.
- Not all growths are cancerous, but they should be checked.
Word origin
The word 'growth' originates from the Old English term 'grið', which meant 'to grow' or 'to become greater'. It is closely related to the Proto-Germanic *grauwan, and connects to the notion of increase or development that can be traced back to early Germanic languages. Over time, its meaning evolved to encompass not just physical growth, but also development in abstract senses, such as personal growth, economic growth, and growth in knowledge. The plural form 'growths' highlights various instances or types of growth phenomena, and the term has been widely adopted in different contexts, including biology, medicine, and economics.