acetabulum

 
Pronunciation: /ˌasɪˈtabjʊləm/

noun (plural acetabula /-lə/)

  • 1 Anatomy the socket of the hip bone, into which the head of the femur fits.
  • 2 Zoology any cup-shaped structure, especially a sucker.

Derivatives

acetabular

adjective

Origin:

late Middle English (denoting a vinegar cup, hence a cup-shaped cavity): from Latin, from acetum 'vinegar' + -abulum, denoting a container