mastoid adjective & noun. ['mastɔɪd] M18.
[French mastoïde or mod. Latin mastoides from Greek mastoeidēs, from mastos breast: see -OID.]
A. adjective. Chiefly Anatomy & Zoology. Shaped like a female breast. Also, of or pertaining to the mastoid process or bone. M18.
mastoid bone (a) the mastoid process; (b) in fishes and reptiles, a bone of the skull homologous with this. mastoid process a conical prominence of the temporal bone behind the ear.
b. noun.
1. Anatomy. = mastoid process, mastoid bone above. M19.

2. = mastoiditis. colloq. M20.

■ ma'stoidal adjective of or pertaining to the mastoid process M19.

■ mastoi'dectomy noun (an instance of) surgical incision of the mastoid process, in order to relieve infection within its cavities L19.

■ mastoi'ditis noun inflammation of (the cavities of) the mastoid process L19.

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