teratologic
adjective·/ˌtɛr.ə.təˈlɑː.dʒɪk/
Of monsters or monstrosities. Pertaining to teratology, the study of congenital anomalies and the forms that culture has called "monstrous." Teratologic is classificatory rather than aesthetic: the monstrous as category, specimen, or case.
The exhibit’s teratologic language tried to sound clinical, but the visitors still whispered.
Etymology
From Greek teras/terat- “monster, marvel” + -logia “study.” The root once meant wonder as much as horror—monsters as signs.
Related Words
teratologythe discipline
aberrantdeviating from norm; neutral register
chthonianmythic depth often associated with monsters
teratogeniccausing anomalies; adjacent scientific term