antedorsal
|an-te-dor-sal|
🇺🇸
/ˌæn.tiˈdɔr.səl/
🇬🇧
/ˌæn.tiˈdɔːr.s(ə)l/
before the dorsal (fin)
Etymology
'antedorsal' originates from Latin, specifically the prefix 'ante-' meaning 'before' and 'dorsum' meaning 'back' (through the adjective 'dorsalis').
'antedorsal' was formed in scientific New Latin/technical English by combining the Latin element 'ante-' with 'dorsal' (from Latin 'dorsalis', from 'dorsum') and entered anatomical and zoological usage to describe position relative to the dorsal fin.
Initially it literally meant 'before the back'; over time the term specialized in anatomy/ichthyology to mean 'located in front of the dorsal fin'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
located in front of or towards the anterior side of the dorsal fin (used in anatomy/ichthyology).
The fossil fish had an antedorsal spine just anterior to the dorsal fin.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/21 18:52