cir·rho·sis (s?-r??s?s)n.1. Any of various chronic diseases of the liver characterized by the replacement of normal tissue with fibrous tissue and the loss of functional liver cells, resulting from a variety of causes that include chronic alcoholism and certain diseases and infections, especially hepatitis C.2. Chronic interstitial inflammation of any tissue or organ. No longer in clinical use.[New Latin : Greek kirros, tawny (from the color of the diseased liver) + -osis.]cir·rhot?ic (-r?t??k) adj.American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.cirrhosis (s??r??s?s) n (Pathology) any of various progressive diseases of the liver, characterized by death of liver cells, irreversible fibrosis, etc: caused by inadequate diet, excessive alcohol, chronic infection, etc. Also called: cirrhosis of the liver [C19: New Latin, from Greek kirrhos orange-coloured + -osis; referring to the appearance of the diseased liver] cir?rhosed adj cirrhotic adjCollins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014cir?rho?sis (s??ro? s?s) n. a chronic disease of the liver in which fibrous tissue invades and replaces normal tissue, disrupting important functions, as digestion and detoxification. [1830?40;