athetoid
|a-the-toid|
/ˌæθɪˈtɔɪd/
resembling athetosis; involuntary writhing movement
Etymology
'athetoid' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'athetoides', where the prefix 'a-' meant 'not' and 'thetos' (from Greek) related to 'placed' or 'put'.
'athetoid' changed from New Latin 'athetoides' and was adopted into English in the late 19th century for medical descriptions of movement disorders (from 'athetosis').
Initially it meant 'resembling athetosis' (literally 'not placed/fixed'); over time it has come to specifically denote 'relating to or showing slow, involuntary writhing movements' in medical contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person or case exhibiting athetoid movements (historically: a person affected by athetosis).
The neurologist described the patient as an athetoid in his report.
Synonyms
Adjective 1
relating to or resembling athetosis; characterized by slow, involuntary, writhing movements.
The child showed athetoid movements in his hands and fingers.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/11 04:30