Ataxic

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Referring to a medical condition that leads to decreased control over bodily movements, resulting in clumsiness and instability
2. Describing a condition that results in lack of motor coordination, leading to unsteady movements and difficulties in maintaining balance
3. Characterized by impaired coordination of muscle movements that causes unsteady and awkward physical activity

Etymology: "Ataxic" is simply "ataxia" with the adjectival ending "-ic" attached, so its story is really the story of the word it is built on. "Ataxia" comes from Greek "taxis", meaning order or arrangement, which is related to "tassein", to arrange or set in order. The Greek prefix "a-" means "without", so the literal sense is "without order," which fits the loss of coordinated movement the word describes. The "-ic" ending traces back through Latin "-icus" and Old French "-ique" to Greek origins, and reached English through Middle English "-ik" before settling into the modern form. It is a common suffix that turns a noun into an adjective meaning "relating to" or "characterised by," so "ataxic" describes something relating to or showing ataxia, such as an ataxic gait.

Synonyms: uncoordinated, clumsy, disordered

Antonyms: coordinated, controlled, orderly