parotid adjective & noun. [pǝ'rɒtɪd] L17.
[French parotide from Latin parotid-, PAROTIS from Greek parōtid-, -tis, formed as PARA-¹ + ōt-, ous ear: see -ID².]
Anatomy, Medicine, & Zoology.
A. adjective. Situated beside or near the ear; spec. designating either of a pair of large salivary glands situated just in front of each ear; of or pertaining to these glands or the surrounding region. Also, pertaining to or designating a similarly situated venom gland in snakes. L17.
parotid duct a duct from the parotid gland opening into the mouth opposite the second upper molar tooth; also called Stensen's duct.
b. noun.
1. A parotid tumour or swelling. M18-E19.

2. A parotid gland. L18.

► Earlier examples in -ides have been regarded as repr. the pl. of PAROTIS.

■ paroti'dectomy noun (an instance of) surgical removal of a parotid gland L19.

■ paroti'ditis noun = PAROTITIS L19.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲