acetabulum Hear it!

acetabulum definition

ac·etabu·lum (as′i tab′yo̵̅o̅ ləm, -yə-)

noun pl. acetabula -·la (-lə) or acetabulums -·lums

  1. Anat. the cup-shaped socket of the hipbone, into which the head of the thighbone fits
  2. Zool.
    1. any suction disc of flukes, leeches, cephalopods, etc.
    2. the cavity into which an insect's leg fits

Etymology: L, orig., vinegar cup < acetum (see aceto-) + -abulum, dim. of -abrum, receptacle

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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