HEMITERATA Meaning and
Definition
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Hemiterata is a term derived from two Latin words — "hemi," meaning half, and "terata," meaning monsters. The term is often used in zoology to refer to a specific classification of animals known as hemiteratans. Hemiteratans are characterized by having only half-formed or partially developed features, hence the name.
These creatures typically exhibit incomplete or imperfect development in certain body parts, organs, or overall structure. The term can apply to a wide range of animal species across various taxonomic groups, including invertebrates and vertebrates.
Hemiteratans can arise due to genetic abnormalities, environmental factors, or developmental malfunctions during embryonic or fetal stages. These abnormalities can manifest in different ways, such as the incomplete growth of limbs, partially formed or underdeveloped organs, or uneven symmetry of body parts.
While the term "hemiterata" is often used in a scientific context, it can also be applied metaphorically to describe anything or anyone that exhibits a partial or incomplete nature. For instance, it could be used to describe a work of art that has unfinished elements or a person's personality with distinct yet incomplete characteristics.
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Persons with congenital malformations which are not so marked or so disabling as to merit the term monster for their possessors.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for HEMITERATA
- gemiterata
- bemiterata
- nemiterata
- jemiterata
- uemiterata
- yemiterata
- hwmiterata
- hsmiterata
- hdmiterata
- hrmiterata
- h4miterata
- h3miterata
- heniterata
- hekiterata
- hejiterata
- hemuterata
- hemjterata
- hemkterata
- hemoterata
- hem9terata
Etymology of HEMITERATA
The word hemiterata is derived from the combination of two Greek roots: hemi- meaning half or semi- and teratos meaning monster or deformed creature.
In biological terminology, hemi- is often used to imply partial or incomplete. The term terata or teratoid refers to organisms or structures that are abnormal, mutant, or deviate from the usual form. Therefore, hemiterata is a compound word that can be interpreted as partially abnormal or semi-deformed.
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