mattoid: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical/Historical/Literary
Quick answer
What does “mattoid” mean?
A person exhibiting eccentric or borderline insane behaviour.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person exhibiting eccentric or borderline insane behaviour; a person on the borderline of madness.
In historical psychological/psychiatric contexts, someone showing eccentric genius or erratic intellectual brilliance, often considered a constitutional psychopath or borderline personality.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No practical differences due to extreme rarity. The term is equally archaic in both varieties.
Connotations
Equally historical/technical in both varieties, with possible literary revival in academic texts.
Frequency
Essentially never used in contemporary speech or writing in either variety. Might appear in historical studies of psychology or literature.
Grammar
How to Use “mattoid” in a Sentence
[be considered/labeled a] mattoid[describe as a] mattoid[the archetypal/classic] mattoidVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mattoid” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- His mattoid tendencies were evident in his chaotic studio.
American English
- The artist's mattoid behavior fascinated early psychologists.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical analyses of psychology, criminology, or literary studies of genius.
Everyday
Never used. Would be unknown to most native speakers.
Technical
Obsolete technical term. Not in DSM or modern psychology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mattoid”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mattoid”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mattoid”
- Using it as a modern psychological term.
- Spelling as 'matoide' or 'matoid'.
- Pronouncing with stress on second syllable (ma-TOID).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an obsolete term from late 19th-century psychiatry (associated with Cesare Lombroso) and is not used in modern psychology.
Almost certainly not. It is an extremely rare, historical term known only to specialists or avid readers of certain historical texts.
It would be very unusual, archaic, and potentially offensive if understood, as it pathologizes behaviour. Common words like 'eccentric' or 'oddball' are appropriate.
Primarily a noun (a mattoid). It can be used attributively as an adjective (mattoid tendencies) but this is very rare.
A person exhibiting eccentric or borderline insane behaviour.
Mattoid is usually technical/historical/literary in register.
Mattoid: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmatɔɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmætɔɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He's a bit of a mattoid”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
MATTOID sounds like 'mad toyed' — a person toyed with by madness.
Conceptual Metaphor
INSANITY IS A CONTAINER (on the borderline of the container of madness).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary context for the word 'mattoid'?