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carotid

Syllabification: (ca·rot·id)

Pronunciation: /kəˈrätid/

Definition of carotid

adjective

of, relating to, or denoting the two main arteries that carry blood to the head and neck, and their two main branches.

noun

each of the two main arteries that carry blood to the head and neck.

Origin:

early 17th century: from French carotide or modern Latin carotides, from Greek karōtides, plural of karōtis 'drowsiness', from karoun 'stupefy' (because compression of these arteries was thought to cause stupor)