deformity
deformity Lexical Profile
deformity Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A malformation, distortion, or abnormal shape of a part of the body or other organic structure, resulting from congenital factors, injury, or disease.
"The orthopedic surgeon specialized in correcting spinal deformities in young patients."
The state or quality of being misshapen, disfigured, or lacking proper proportion, including moral or aesthetic corruption.
"The novel explores the moral deformity that results from unchecked greed and ambition."
Word Nuance & Usage
In modern medical and social contexts, 'deformity' can carry negative or stigmatizing connotations when applied to people; neutral clinical terms like 'congenital anomaly', 'malformation', or 'anatomical variation' are often preferred.
• Rhymes for deformity
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 14th century from Old French 'deformite', from Latin 'deformitas' (ugliness, disfigurement), derived from 'deformis' (misshapen), combining 'de-' (away from) and 'forma' (shape, form).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.