umbilical

[ uhm-bil-i-kuhl ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of an umbilicus or umbilical cord.
2. joined together by or as if by an umbilical cord; heavily dependent in a close relationship.
3. adjacent to or located near the navel; central to the abdomen:

   the umbilical region.

4. serving as or containing a conduit through which power is transferred, especially to a unit that will be or is designed to be ultimately self-sufficient or independent:

   an umbilical cable for launching a rocket; an umbilical plug for starting jet engines.

noun

1. umbilical cord.

umbilical

/ ʌmˈbɪlɪkəl; ˌʌmbɪˈlaɪkəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling the umbilicus or the umbilical cord
2. in the region of the umbilicus

   an umbilical hernia

noun

1. short for umbilical cord

Derived Forms

• umˈbilically, adverb

Other Words From

• um·bili·cal·ly adverb
• nonum·bili·cal adjective
• postum·bili·cal adjective
• subum·bili·cal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of umbilical¹

1535–45; < Medieval Latin umbilīcālis, equivalent to Latin umbilīc ( us ) ( umbilicus ) + -ālis -al ¹

Example Sentences

“They didn’t even have basic supplies, like the scissors you would use to cut an umbilical cord. They were using a razor blade, you know?”

From Salon

“They would use a string from a face mask to tie off the umbilical cord.”

From Salon

Whole genome sequencing for affected families is now offered on the NHS and new parents are offered screening for 200 genetic disorders by testing the umbilical cord.

From BBC

As part of this new study, led by Genomics England, blood samples will be taken from babies' umbilical cords to help diagnose many more gene disorders, such as haemophilia and spinal muscular atrophy.

From BBC

Screening newborn babies for these rare diseases involves sequencing their complete DNA - or genome - using blood samples from their umbilical cord.

From BBC

Related Words

• basic
• essential
• fundamental
• important
• key
• paramount
• pivotal
• significant