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dorsum

[ dawr-suhm ]

noun

, Anatomy, Zoology.
, plural dor·sa [dawr, -s, uh].
  1. the back, as of the body.
  2. the back or outer surface of an organ, part, etc.


dorsum

/ ˈdɔːsəm /

noun

  1. a technical name for the back 1
  2. any analogous surface

    the dorsum of the hand

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Word History and Origins

Origin of dorsum1

Borrowed into English from Latin around 1775–85
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Word History and Origins

Origin of dorsum1

C18: from Latin, literally: back
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Example Sentences

In life the dorsum was rusty brown with irregular black and orange spots and streaks.

The belly was bluish gray with black spots laterally; the dorsum was dull brownish gray with some brownish red streaks.

In life the dorsum was dull brown; the chin was cream; the belly was yellow, and the underside of the tail was orange.

One had an olive-brown dorsum and the other, a reddish orange dorsum.

In life the dorsum was bright green; the lateral stripe was white, and the iris was yellowish brown.

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