adenoids

ad·e·noid

[ad-n-oid]
noun
1.
Usually, adenoids. an enlarged mass of lymphoid tissue in the upper pharynx, often obstructing breathing through the nasal passages. See diag. under tonsil.
adjective
2.
of or pertaining to the lymph glands.
3.
of or pertaining to the adenoids.
Origin:
1830–40; < Greek adenoeidḗs. See aden-, -oid

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World English Dictionary
adenoid (ˈædɪˌnɔɪd) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
—adj
1.  of or resembling a gland
2.  of or relating to lymphoid tissue, as that found in the lymph nodes, spleen, tonsils, etc
3.  of or relating to the adenoids
 
[C19: from Greek adenoeidēs. See adeno-, -oid]

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adenoids (ˈædɪˌnɔɪdz) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
—pl n
Technical name: pharyngeal tonsil a mass of lymphoid tissue at the back of the throat behind the uvula: when enlarged it often restricts nasal breathing, esp in young children

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

adenoid
1839, "gland-like," medical L., from Gk. adenoeides, from aden (gen. adenos) "gland" + eidos "form" (see -oid). Adenoids "adenoid growths" is from 1891.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

adenoid ad·e·noid (ād'n-oid')
n.

  1. A lymphoid tissue growth located at the back of the nose in the upper part of the throat that when swollen may obstruct normal breathing and make speech difficult.

  2. adenoids Hypertrophy of the pharyngeal tonsil resulting from chronic inflammation.

adj.
Of, relating to, or resembling lymphatic glands or lymphatic tissue.
ad'e·noi'dal (ād'n-oid'l) adj.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
adenoids   (ād'n-oidz')  Pronunciation Key 
The small mass of lymphoid tissue located at the back of the nasal cavity. Swelling of the adenoids can block breathing through the nose.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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American Heritage
Cultural Dictionary
adenoids [(ad-n-oydz, ad-noydz)]

Two masses of tissue at the junction of the nose and throat, which, like the tonsils, function in the lymphatic system. They help filter out harmful microorganisms that can cause infection. Continually swollen adenoids may interfere with breathing and affect speech.

Note: Adenoids are sometimes surgically removed along with the tonsils if they are persistently inflamed (see inflammation).
Note: Swollen adenoids give a distinctive nasal sound to the voice.
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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