mastoid
Americanadjective
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shaped like a nipple or breast
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designating or relating to a nipple-like process of the temporal bone behind the ear
noun
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the mastoid process
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informal mastoiditis
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of mastoid
1725–35; < New Latin mastoīdēs < Greek mastoeidḗs. See masto-, -oid
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In part, the look of those “big eyes” was informed by a mastoid operation that permanently damaged Ms. Keane’s hearing when she was 2.
From Washington Post ● Jun. 29, 2022
From childhood, when a mastoid operation resulted in permanent eardrum damage and hearing loss, she had been fascinated with eyes, watching for cues to amplify what was being said.
From New York Times ● Jun. 28, 2022
The Hopkins researchers eventually found the genetic signature of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in two of the three cadavers, confirming that the virus can make its way to the middle ear and mastoid.
From Salon ● Jan. 17, 2022
A vibrating tuning fork is placed on the mastoid process and the patient indicates when the sound produced from this is no longer present.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013
So far, aside from one scare—at five, Milton had nearly died from a mastoid infection— they had both been healthy.
From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides
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