1. Word finder
  2. Word definitions
  3. teratology

Find the word definition

What is "teratology"

Crossword clues for teratology

teratology
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Teratology

Teratology \Ter`a*tol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ?, ?, a wonder, monster + -logy: cf. Gr. ? a telling of wonders, and F. t['e]ratologie.]

  1. That branch of biological science which treats of monstrosities, malformations, or deviations from the normal type of structure, either in plants or animals.

  2. Affectation of sublimity; bombast. [Obs.]
    --Bailey.

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
teratology

"study of marvels and monstrosities," 1842, from terato- + -logy. Earlier it meant "marvelous narrative" (1670s), from Greek teratologia "a telling of marvels." Related: Teratological; teratologist.

Wiktionary
teratology

n. 1 (context medicine English) The study of teratogenesis, congenital malformations or grossly deformed individuals. 2 (context toxicology English) The study of the mechanisms, teratogenic agents, or teratogens, in bringing about malformations. 3 (context obsolete English) Affectation of sublimity; bombast.

WordNet
teratology

n. the branch of biology concerned with the development of malformations or serious deviations from the normal type of organism

Wikipedia
Teratology

Teratology is the study of abnormalities of physiological development. It is often thought of as the study of human congenital abnormalities, but it is broader than that, taking into account other non-birth developmental stages, including puberty; and other non-human life forms, including plants. The related term developmental toxicity includes all manifestations of abnormal development that are caused by environmental insult. These may include growth retardation, delayed mental development or other congenital disorders without any structural malformations.

Teratogens are substances that may cause birth defects via a toxic effect on an embryo or fetus.

Usage examples of "teratology".

For further information, the reader is referred to the authors cited or to any of the standard treatises on teratology.

He shrugged and ambled back toward the laboratory, pondering morphology, teratology, and a case where monstra per defectum could coexist with monstra per fabricam alienam.