Added 10 October 2026
adenoid
/ˈad.ɪn.ɔɪd/ noun
Latin root: adenoīdēs Wiktionary
noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about adenoid at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
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A collection of lymphatic tissue in the throat behind the uvula (on the posterior wall and roof of the nasopharynx).
hypertrophy of the pharyngeal tonsils is called adenoids
adjective
Origin
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”).
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)