'teiidiform' originates from New Latin/Modern scientific coinage, combining 'teiid' (from Teiidae, the lizard family name) with the suffix '-form' (from Latin '-formis' meaning 'shape' or 'form').

'teiid' itself derives from the family name 'Teiidae' (formed in New Latin from the genus name 'Teius' plus the family suffix '-idae'), and the English formation added the adjectival suffix '-form' to denote shape or likeness, producing 'teiidiform'.

Initially used to denote a relationship to or resemblance of members of Teiidae, the term has remained narrowly specialized in zoological and paleontological description to mean 'teiid-like' in form.