maloccluded
|mal-o-clud-ed|
/ˌmæləˈkluːdɪd/
(malocclude)
badly aligned bite
Etymology
'maloccluded' originates from the prefix 'mal-' (from Latin 'malus' meaning 'bad') combined with the verb 'occlude' (from Latin 'occludere', from 'ob-' meaning 'against' + 'claudere' meaning 'to close'). The compound 'malocclude' and its adjectival form 'maloccluded' are used in modern medical and dental English.
'occludere' (Latin) → Late Latin/Scientific Latin 'occludere/occlusio' → English 'occlude' (to close) → combined with the Latin-derived prefix 'mal-' to form 'malocclude' in medical/dental contexts; the adjective 'maloccluded' developed to describe improperly closed or aligned teeth (term became common in 19th–20th century dentistry).
Initially Latin 'occludere' meant 'to shut/close'; with the prefix 'mal-' the compound came to mean 'badly closed' and, in dental usage, evolved to the current meaning of 'improper closure or alignment of the teeth/bite'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
past tense or past participle form of 'malocclude'.
A childhood injury had maloccluded his bite, and orthodontic treatment was recommended.
Adjective 1
having malocclusion; (of the teeth or bite) not properly aligned when the jaws are closed.
The patient's molars were maloccluded, causing pain and difficulty chewing.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/07 09:55