Anotus

/əˈnoʊtəs/ adjective

Definition

Lacking ears or ear-like structures; born without external ears or auditory appendages.

Etymology

From Greek 'a-' (without) + 'otus' (ear, related to 'ous'). The term emerged in medical and anatomical contexts in the 18th century to describe congenital absence of ears.

Kelly Says

This term appears in older medical literature describing rare birth anomalies, but it's largely replaced by modern terms like 'anotia.' It shows how 'a-' prefix became the go-to way for doctors to name things that are missing!

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