Definition

1. Noun:
   • A childhood disease caused by deficiency of vitamin D and sunlight, associated with impaired metabolism of calcium and phosphorus: This is the primary medical meaning, referring to a condition that softens and weakens bones in children, leading to skeletal deformities. It is also known as rickets.
   • Inflammation of the vertebral column: This is a less common, more technical medical usage referring to inflammation affecting the spine.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Vitamin D Deficiency):
  • The doctor diagnosed the child with rachitis due to a severe lack of sunlight exposure.
  • Adequate nutrition can prevent rachitis in infants.
• Noun (Spinal Inflammation):
  • The old medical text described a case of rachitis affecting the patient's posture.

Advanced Usage

• The term rachitis is largely synonymous with rickets in modern medical contexts, though "rickets" is far more common in everyday and clinical language.
• In historical or very specialized medical literature, rachitis might be used to specify the spinal condition, but this usage is now rare.

Variants and Related Words

• Rickets (n): The common term for the childhood bone disease caused by vitamin D deficiency. (e.g., )
• Rachitic (adj): Describing someone suffering from or related to rachitis/rickets. (e.g., )
• Osteomalacia (n): The adult equivalent of rickets, involving bone softening.

Synonyms

• Rickets: The most direct and commonly used synonym for the childhood disease.
• Vitamin D deficiency: A descriptive term for the cause of the condition.

Notes on Usage

• "Rachitis" is a technical medical term. In most general, educational, or healthcare communication, the word "rickets" is preferred for clarity.
• The meaning concerning spinal inflammation is archaic and highly specialized; it is unlikely to be encountered outside of specific historical medical discussions.

Noun

1. childhood disease caused by deficiency of vitamin D and sunlight associated with impaired metabolism of calcium and phosphorus
2. inflammation of the vertebral column