decompensation
/diːˌkɒmpɛnˈseɪʃən/
Word Rarity
Very rare
Frequency: 1.58 in modern English
21
Scrabble Score
14
Letters
5
Syllables
11
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
The inability of a diseased or weakened organic system or organ to compensate for its deficiency, resulting in functional deterioration.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
The deterioration of cognitive or emotional functionality in a person who is distressed or who suffers from a psychological disorder.
Countable; Uncountable
Example Sentences
- "Once it was determined that hyperthyroidism was the probable etiology of her cardiac decompensation, the next step was treatment of the underlying disease."
- "A varying percentage of our combat soldiers reach the limit of their endurance and must leave their foxholes, not for physical wounds but because of emotional decompensation."
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *de Proto-Indo-European *-h₁ Proto-Indo-European *déh₁ Proto-Italic *dē Latin dē Latin dē-der. English de- English compensation English decompensation From de- + compensation.
Regional Pronunciation
- British English: /diːˌkɒmpɛnˈseɪʃən/