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mastoid

[mas-toid]
adjective Anatomy.
  1. of or relating to the mastoid process.
  2. resembling a breast or nipple.
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noun
  1. the mastoid process.
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Origin of mastoid

1725–35; < New Latin mastoīdēs < Greek mastoeidḗs. See masto-, -oid
Related formsin·ter·mas·toid, adjectivepost·mas·toid, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for mastoids

Historical Examples

  • The skull of the female oregonensis is more heavily ridged and is relatively broader across the mastoids than that of effera.

    American Weasels

    E. Raymond Hall

  • The slenderness is especially noticeable in the breadth across the zygomata, mastoids, and rostrum.

British Dictionary definitions for mastoids

mastoid

adjective
  1. shaped like a nipple or breast
  2. designating or relating to a nipple-like process of the temporal bone behind the ear
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noun
  1. the mastoid process
  2. informal mastoiditis
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for mastoids

mastoid

adj.

"breast-shaped, resembling a breast or nipple," 1732, from Greek mastoeides "resembling a breast," from mastos "(woman's) breast" (see masto-) + -oeides "like," from eidos "form, shape" (see -oid). As a noun, 1800, from the adjective.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
mastoids in Medicine

mastoid

(măs′toid′)
n.
  1. The mastoid process.
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adj.
  1. Of or relating to the mastoid process, antrum, or sinuses.
  2. Shaped like a breast or nipple.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.