"the production of monsters," 1855, from terato- + -geny. Related: Teratogenesis.
Entries linking to teratogeny
terato-
before vowels terat-, word-forming element meaning "marvel, monster," from combining form of Greek teras (genitive teratos) "marvel, sign, wonder, monster," from PIE *kewr-es-, from root *kwer- "to make, form" (source also of Sanskrit krta- "make, do, perform," Lithuanian keras "charm," Old Church Slavonic čaru "charm").
-geny
word-forming element meaning "genesis, origin, mode of production," forming corresponding abstract nouns to words in -gen, from French -génie and Modern Latin -genia, from Greek -geneia, from -genes "born, produced," the form in compounds of genos, from PIE root *gene- "give birth, beget," with derivatives referring to procreation and familial and tribal groups.
teratogenic adj.
"causing the formation of monsters," 1873, from teratogeny + -ic; probably based on German teratogenic (by 1856).