IPA: /ˈtɛrəˌtɔɪd/
KK: /tɛrˈeɪtɔɪd/
Describing something that is abnormal in shape or development, often referring to a malformed structure.
The teratoid growth was a concern for the doctors due to its unusual appearance.
Teratoid is formed from "terat-" (from Greek "teratos", meaning monster or abnormality) and "-oid" (meaning resembling or like). The word describes something that resembles a monster or has monstrous characteristics.
Think of 'terat-' meaning monster, and '-oid' meaning resembling. This helps you remember that 'teratoid' refers to something that resembles a monster.