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epiglottis

Syllabification: (ep·i·glot·tis)
Pronunciation: /ˌepiˈglätəs/

Definition of epiglottis

noun

  • a flap of cartilage at the root of the tongue, which is depressed during swallowing to cover the opening of the windpipe.

Derivatives

epiglottal

Pronunciation: /-ˈglätl/

adjective

epiglottic

Pronunciation: /-ˈglätik/

adjective

Origin:

late Middle English: from Greek epiglōttis, from epi 'upon, near to' + glōtta 'tongue'

epiglottis in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of epiglottis in the British & World English dictionary

Nearby words

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