English Explanatory Dictionary

ossicle

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A small bone (or bony structure), especially one of the three of the middle ear.
  2. Bone-like joint or plate.
  3. One of numerous small calcareous structures forming the skeleton of certain echinoderms, as the starfishes.
  4. One of the hard articuli or joints of the stem or branches of a crinoid or encrinite.
  5. One of the several small hard chitinous parts or processes of the gastric skeleton of crustaceans, as in the stomach of a lobster or crawfish.

Pronunciation

/ˈɒsɪkəl/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-ossicle.wav

Word forms

ossicle ossicles

Etymology

Late 16th century, from Latin ossiculum (“little bone, ossicle”) from os (“bone”).

Synonyms

auditory bone auditory ossicle bonelet ossicular chain ossicule ossiculum otic bone

Derived words

ambulacral ossicle Andernach's ossicles cardiac ossicle carpal ossicle epactal ossicles episternal ossicles intercalcar ossicles Kerckring's ossicle marginal ossicles ossicle of Bertin ossicular ossiculate ossiculectomy ossiculoplasty ossiculotomy Riolan's ossicles sphenoturbinal ossicle tarsal ossicle vertebral ossicle Weberian ossicles wormian ossicles

Translations

Polish: płytka (wapienna)
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