teratology

[ ter-uh-tol-uh-jee ]
/ ˌtɛr əˈtɒl ə dʒi /

noun Biology.

the science or study of monstrosities or abnormal formations in organisms.

Origin of teratology

First recorded in 1670–80; terato- + -logy

OTHER WORDS FROM teratology

ter·a·to·log·i·cal [ter-uh-tl-oj-i-kuh l] /ˌtɛr ə tlˈɒdʒ ɪ kəl/, adjective ter·a·tol·o·gist, noun

Example sentences from the Web for teratology

British Dictionary definitions for teratology

teratology
/ (ˌtɛrəˈtɒlədʒɪ) /

noun

the branch of medical science concerned with the development of physical abnormalities during the fetal or early embryonic stage
the branch of biology that is concerned with the structure, development, etc, of monsters
a collection of tales about mythical or fantastic creatures, monsters, etc

Derived forms of teratology

teratologic (ˌtɛrətəˈlɒdʒɪk) or teratological, adjective teratologist, noun

Medical definitions for teratology

teratology
[ tĕr′ə-tŏlə-jē ]

n.

The biological study of malformations and monstrosities.

Other words from teratology

ter′a•to•logic (-tl-ŏjĭk) adj.

Scientific definitions for teratology

teratology
[ tĕr′ə-tŏlə-jē ]

The scientific study of birth defects.