teratology

[ter-uh-tol-uh-jee]

noun

Biology.

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

teratology

/ ˌtɛrətəˈlɒdʒɪk, ˌtɛrəˈtɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. the branch of medical science concerned with the development of physical abnormalities during the fetal or early embryonic stage

2. the branch of biology that is concerned with the structure, development, etc, of monsters

3. a collection of tales about mythical or fantastic creatures, monsters, etc

teratology

1. The scientific study of birth defects.

Other Word Forms

• teratologist noun
• teratologic adjective
• teratological adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of teratology¹

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

Example Sentences

“Dr. Shepard has had a monumental and long-lasting impact on the field of teratology — as a scientist, mentor, teacher and colleague,” she said.

Read more on Seattle Times

Thus, by reducing the penal problem to its simplest expression, its solution was rendered easier, just as the study of embryology has in a great measure solved the apparently strange and mysterious riddle of teratology.

Read more on Project Gutenberg

This mode of union belongs, perhaps, rather to the domain of pathology than of teratology.

Read more on Project Gutenberg

Secondly, with regard to teratology, it is notorious that similar abnormalities are often found to co-exist in both the pelvic and thoracic limbs.

Read more on Project Gutenberg

In 1818 he began to discuss philosophical anatomy, the doctrine of homologies; he also studied the embryology of the mammals, and was the founder of teratology.

Read more on Project Gutenberg