adenoidal
UK[ˌædɪˈnɔɪdəl]US[ˌædɪˈnɔɪdəl]
adj
relating to or resembling the adenoids
adj
having a nasal quality of voice, as if caused by enlarged adenoids
Morpheme Breakdown
adenoid
al
adenoid
al
pertaining to
Etymology
the word 'adenoidal' is a modern medical adjective formed by adding the common adjectival suffix '-al' to the noun 'adenoid'. the noun 'adenoid' itself originates from the greek 'adenoeidēs', a compound of 'adēn' (gland) and '-oeidēs' (like, resembling), literally meaning 'gland-like'. this directly describes the physical nature of the adenoids, which are masses of lymphatic tissue in the nasopharynx. the secondary, figurative meaning of a nasal voice quality logically derives from the physiological effect enlarged adenoids have on a person's speech resonance.
Analysis
Structure: adenoid + al
adenoid (from greek 'adenoeidēs', meaning 'glandular', from 'adēn' (gland) + '-oeidēs' (-oid, resembling)); al (latin adjectival suffix '-alis', meaning 'pertaining to').
Examples
the child's persistent adenoidal infection required medical attention.
he spoke in a distinctively adenoidal tone that was difficult to understand over the phone.
the singer's slightly adenoidal quality gave his voice a unique, vintage character.