▪ I. hypertrophy, n.
(haɪˈpɜːtrəfɪ)
[ad. mod.L. hypertrophia, f. Gr. ὑπερ (see hyper- 5) + -τροϕία, τροϕή nourishment: cf. atrophy.]
Physiol. and Path. Enlargement of a part or organ of an animal or plant, produced by excessive nutrition; excessive growth or development. The opposite of atrophy.
| 1834 J. Forbes Laennec's Dis. Chest (ed. 4) 657 Hypertrophy or dilatation of the heart. 1844 Blackw. Mag. LVI. 21 We question..whether this hypertrophy of fruit or vegetables improves their flavour. 1866–80 A. Flint Princ. Med. (ed. 5) 41 The term hypertrophy is applied to enlargement of a part from an increase of its normal constituents, the structure and arrangement remaining essentially unaltered. 1881 Encycl. Brit. XII. 597/2 In many cases hypertrophy cannot be regarded as a deviation from health, but rather on the contrary as indicative of a high degree of nutrition and physical power. 1884 Bower & Scott De Bary's Phaner. 492 Accumulations of parenchymatous cells..constituting as it were local hypertrophies of the medullary rays. |
b. fig. Overgrowth.
| 1856 Chamb. Jrnl. VI. 131 That hypertrophy of monarchism which grew up under Louis XIV, and in the end destroyed his dynasty. 1883 Century Mag. July 419/1 Nights of financial hypertrophy. |
▪ II. hyˈpertrophy, v.
[f. prec. n.; cf. atrophy v.]
1. trans. To affect with hypertrophy.
| 1846 P. M. Latham Lect. Clin. Med. (ed. 2) xxxiv. 314 [The heart] is sooner hypertrophied, sooner attenuated. 1885 W. K. Parker Mammal. Desc. iv. 101 The simple forms of its facial bones, not hypertrophied to make room for the teeth. |
2. intr. To undergo hypertrophy.
| 1883 tr. Ziegler's Pathol. Anat. i. §72 (Cent.) When a tissue manifests an abnormal tendency to overgrowth, it is said to hypertrophy. |