taenia

 
Pronunciation: /ˈtiːnɪə/
(US tenia)

noun (plural taeniae /-nɪiː/ or taenias)

  • 1 Anatomy a flat ribbon-like structure in the body.
  • (taeniae coli /ˈkəʊlʌɪ/) the smooth longitudinal muscles of the colon.
  • 2 Architecture a fillet between a Doric architrave and frieze.
  • 3(in ancient Greece) a band or ribbon worn round a person’s head.

Derivatives

taenioid

adjective

Origin:

mid 16th century (in taenia (sense 2)): via Latin from Greek tainia 'band, ribbon'