noun

deformity

dih-FOR-muh-tee/dɪˈfɔːrməti/

A marked irregularity in the shape or structure of a body or object.

The warped vase has a visible deformity beside the symmetrical one.

Deformity: close still life of an accidentally warped clay vase, its body asymmetrically collapsed inward and rim visibly twisted, beside a small normal symmetrical vase for comparison.

Etymology

deLatinaway; undoing

+formLatinto shape, fashion

+ityLatinstate or quality

Here putting out of shape becomes a condition: being misshapen. The Latin noun included ugliness, while the English physical sense focuses on malformed or disproportionately developed bodily parts.

In context

Enhanced Public Domain138:35

a flash of lightning illuminated the object and discovered its shape plainly to me its gigantic stature and the deformity of its aspects

1800s Fiction Audiobook: Mary Shelley - Frankenstein

More examples

The pot's deformity resulted from uneven heat in the kiln.
The surgeon discusses how the deformity affects movement.
Several seedlings develop unusual deformities in their leaves.

Forms

deformity · deformities

Similar words

irregularity: A broader and less strongly marked departure from normal shape.
malformation: Malformation describes a structurally abnormal development; deformity can result from later damage as well.