teratogenesis

American

[tuh-rat-uh-jen-uh-sis, ter-uh-tuh-] / təˌræt əˈdʒɛn ə sɪs, ˈtɛr ə tə- /

noun

Biology.

the production or induction of malformations or monstrosities, especially of a developing embryo or fetus.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

teratogenetic

adjective

Etymology

Origin of teratogenesis

First recorded in 1900–05; terato- + -genesis

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.

Such abnormalities arise as a result of a process known as teratogenesis.

From Washington Post • Aug. 23, 2019

Essays on teratogenesis, with reference to batrachians, have been offered by Lombardini; and by Lereboullet and Knoch with reference to fishes.

From Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine by Pyle, Walter L. (Walter Lytle)

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023