Umbo definition

ŭmbō
umbones umbos
See word origin
Frequency:
The boss or knob at the center of a shield.
noun
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The boss, or knob, at the center of a shield.
noun
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(mycology) A bump or protrusion on the top of the cap.
noun
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(biology) A knoblike protuberance arising from a surface, as the prominence near the hinge of a bivalve shell or the raised area in the center of the cap of a mushroom.
noun
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(anatomy) A small projection at the center of the outer surface of the eardrum.
noun
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Something resembling this.
  • The elevation beside the hinge on each half of a bivalve shell.
  • The prominence on the eardrum at the point of attachment of the malleus.
noun
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A small anatomical projection on a surface, such as that on the inner surface of the eardrum at the end of the manubrium of the malleus, corresponding to the most elevated point of the eardrum.
noun
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(biology) A boss, or rounded elevation, or a corresponding depression, in a palate, disk, or membrane; as, the umbo in the integument of the larvæ of echinoderms or in the tympanic membrane of the ear.
noun
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(zoology) One of the lateral prominence just above the hinge of a bivalve shell.
noun
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(historical) The boss of a shield, at or near the middle, and usually projecting, sometimes in a sharp spike.
noun
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Other Word Forms

Noun

Singular:
umbo
Plural:
umboes, umbones, umbos

Origin of umbo

  • Latin umbō umbōn- nobh- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Borrowed from Latin umbo

    From Wiktionary

Umbo Sentence Examples

  • They protected themselves in battle with a large wooden or wicker shield, the centre of which was ornamented with an iron boss (umbo).

  • The ventral valve is usually the larger, and in many genera, such as Terebratula and Rhynchonella, has a prominent beak or umbo, with a circular or otherwise shaped foramen at or near its extremity, partly bounded by one or two plates, termed a deltidium.

  • The beak or umbo of each valve is prominent and rounded, and a number of sharp ridges and furrows radiate from the apex to the free edge of the shell, which is crenated.

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Also Mentioned In

Words near umbo in the Dictionary