lunate

[ loo-neyt ]

adjective

1. Also lunat·ed. being in the shape of a crescent; crescent-shaped.

noun

1. Anatomy. the second bone from the thumb side of the proximal row of bones of the carpus.
2. a crescent-shaped, microlithic artifact mounted in a haft to form a composite tool, mostly Mesolithic in origin.

lunate

/ ˈluːneɪt /

adjective

1. anatomy botany shaped like a crescent

noun

1. a crescent-shaped bone forming part of the wrist

Other Words From

• lunate·ly adverb
• semi·lunate adjective
• semi·lunat·ed adjective
• sub·lunate adjective
• sub·lunat·ed adjective
• un·lunate adjective
• un·lunat·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lunate¹

First recorded in 1770–80, lunate is from the Latin word lūnātus crescent-shaped. See Luna, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of lunate¹

C18: from Latin lūnātus crescent-shaped, from lūnāre, from lūna moon

Example Sentences

He sat out all but one practice last spring with a dislocated lunate bone and torn ligaments in his right wrist, and also suffered a left thumb injury in August.

From Seattle Times

The same goes for 6-4, 213-pound junior wide receiver Ty Jones, who missed all but one practice last spring with a dislocated lunate bone and torn ligaments in his right wrist.

From Seattle Times

He missed all but one practice last spring with a dislocated lunate bone and torn ligaments in his wrist, Jones confirmed to The Times on Tuesday.

From Seattle Times

Turns out, he damaged the lunate bone, a large carpal bone in the middle of the wrist.

From Golf Digest

Women’s Amateur champion had fractured the lunate bone in her hand, had bulging disks in her neck and had eye surgery at the end of the season.

From Golf Digest