acetabulum

[ as-i-tab-yuh-luhm ]

noun

, plural ac·e·tab·u·la [as-i-, tab, -y, uh, -l, uh].

1. Anatomy. the socket in the hipbone that receives the head of the thighbone.
2. Zoology. any of the suction appendages of a leech, octopus, etc.

acetabulum

/ ˌæsɪˈtæbjʊləm /

noun

1. the deep cuplike cavity on the side of the hipbone that receives the head of the thighbone
2. a round muscular sucker in flatworms, leeches, and cephalopod molluscs
3. the aperture in the thorax of an insect that holds the leg

Other Words From

• ac·e·tab·u·lar adjective
• post·ac·e·tab·u·lar adjective
• pre·ac·e·tab·u·lar adjective
• sub·ac·e·tab·u·lar adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of acetabulum¹

1660–70; < Latin: hip socket, cup-shaped part of a plant (Pliny), literally, small cup, originally for vinegar, equivalent to acēt ( um ) vinegar + -ā- by analogy with verbal derivatives ( vocable ) + -bulum suffix denoting instrument or vessel

Word History and Origins

Origin of acetabulum¹

Latin: vinegar cup, hence a cuplike cavity, from acētum vinegar + -abulum, suffix denoting a container

Example Sentences

McCarthy’s voluminous research is everywhere on the page — and, yes, very impressive — but you may find yourself stopping to look up supercavitation, acetabulum or festination only to turn back having forgotten what’s happening.

From Washington Post

Why does “acetabulum” — the hipbone socket — mean vinegar bowl?

From New York Times

The head of the femur becomes abnormally shaped and no longer fits seamlessly in the acetabulum, or socket, putting the hip at risk of future injury.

From Washington Post

“Ouch,” her doctor said, pointing at the image of her hip where her femur was scraping against the acetabulum of her pelvis, bone-on-bone.

From New York Times

Some things are simply going to be possible for the female pelvis and acetabula that are impossible or inaccessible to the male pelvis.

From Time