acetabulum

American  

[as-i-tab-yuh-luhm] / ˌæs ɪˈtæb yə ləm /

noun

plural

acetabula

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.

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acetabulum British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• acetabular adjective
• postacetabular adjective
• preacetabular adjective
• subacetabular adjective

Etymology

Origin of acetabulum

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

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 • Nov. 15, 2021

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 • May 15, 2017

In contrast, the deep socket of the acetabulum and the strong supporting ligaments of the hip joint serve to constrain movements of the femur, reflecting the need for stability and weight-bearing ability at the hip.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Its rounded head articulates with the acetabulum of the hip bone to form the hip joint.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The acetabulum for the head of the femur is imperforate, being a simple oval basin, as in Chelonian reptiles and the higher Mammals.

From Dragons of the Air An Account of Extinct Flying Reptiles by Seeley, H. G.