a degenerative disease of the arteries characterized by patchy thickening of the inner lining of the arterial walls, caused by deposits of fatty material; a form of arteriosclerosis
atheroma
Derived forms
atherosclerotic (ˌæθərəʊsklɪəˈrɒtɪk)
adjective
Word origin
C20: from New Latin, from Greek athēra gruel (see atheroma) + sclerosis
atherosclerosis in American English
(ˌæθərˌoʊskləˈroʊsɪs)
noun
a form of arteriosclerosis associated with the formation of atheromas