athetoids
|a-the-toid|
/əˈθiːtɔɪd/
(athetoid)
resembling athetosis; involuntary writhing movement
Etymology
'athetoid' originates from the medical formation based on 'athetosis,' ultimately from Greek 'athētos,' where 'a-' meant 'not' and 'thetos' (from the verb 'tithenai') meant 'placed.'
'athetoid' was formed in English from the noun 'athetosis' (a late 19th-century medical term derived from Greek) and came into use as an adjective and noun meaning 'resembling or characterized by athetosis.'
Initially it referred to resemblance to 'athetosis' (the condition of involuntary writhing movements); over time it has continued to be used in medical contexts to describe either the movements or individuals who display them.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural form of 'athetoid'.
Several athetoids attended the rehabilitation program.
Synonyms
Noun 2
people who exhibit athetosis — involuntary, slow, writhing movements of the limbs and face (often associated with certain types of cerebral palsy); also used collectively for patients showing such movements.
The clinic specializes in treating athetoids who have difficulty with fine motor control.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/11 04:44