malocclusion
|mal-oc-clu-sion|
/ˌmæl.əˈkluː.ʒən/
bad (improper) bite / bad closure of the teeth
Etymology
'malocclusion' originates from Latin elements: the prefix 'mal-' from Latin 'malus' meaning 'bad' + 'occlusion' from Latin 'occlusio' (from 'occludere') meaning 'a closing or shutting'.
'malocclusion' was formed in modern English by combining the Latin-derived prefix 'mal-' with the noun 'occlusion' (itself from Latin 'occlusio'/'occludere'); the medical/dental usage developed in post-18th-century medical English to describe faulty closure of the teeth.
Initially describing a 'bad closing' in a general sense, it evolved specifically into the dental meaning 'improper bite or misalignment of the teeth' in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a condition in dentistry in which the teeth or dental arches are misaligned when the jaws are closed; an improper bite (includes overbite, underbite, crossbite, etc.).
The orthodontist diagnosed a severe malocclusion that would require braces to correct.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/05 15:28