adenoid
/ˈæd.əˌnɔɪd/
Word Rarity
Very rare
Frequency: 1.80 in modern English
9
Scrabble Score
7
Letters
3
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
adj
Of or relating to lymphatic glands or lymphoid tissue.
adj
Of or pertaining to the adenoids.
adj
Relating to, affected with, or associated with abnormally enlarged adenoids.
noun
an abnormally enlarged mass of lymphatic tissue at the back of the pharynx, often obstructing the nasal and ear passages and hindering speaking and breathing in young children.
noun
Such a mass when not abnormally enlarged, covered by ciliated epithelium and located in the roof and posterior wall of the nasopharynx at the back of the throat behind the uvula.
Etymology
Late 19th century borrowing from French adénoïde, from New Latin adenoīdēs, from Ancient Greek ᾰ̓δενοειδής (ădenoeidḗs, “glandular”), from ᾰ̓δήν (ădḗn, “gland”) + -ο- (-o-) + -ειδής (-eidḗs, “-oid, -like”); equivalent to aden- + -oid. The noun is derived from ellipsis of tumeur adénoïde (“glandular tumor”).
Origin
- Source language: French
Word Breakdown
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈæd.əˌnɔɪd/
- British English: /ˈad.ɪn.ɔɪd/