: hardened especially by the formation of sclerotin
sclerotized insect cuticle

sclerotization

2 of 2

noun

scle·​ro·​ti·​za·​tion ˌsklirətə̇zāshən How to pronounce sclerotization (audio)
-ler-
-ˌtīˈz-
plural -s
: the quality or state of being sclerotized

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

sclerot(ic) entry 1 + -ize + -ed entry 1

Noun

sclerotized + -ation

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sclerotized was circa 1890

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Cite this Entry

“Sclerotized.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sclerotized. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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