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acetabulum

Syllabification: (ac·e·tab·u·lum)
Pronunciation: /ˌasiˈtabyələm/

Definition of acetabulum

noun (plural acetabula /-lə/)

Anatomy
  • the socket of the hipbone, into which the head of the femur fits.
  • 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

acetabulum in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of acetabulum in the British & World English dictionary

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