apophyses
|a-po-phy-ses|
/ˌæpəˈfɪsiːz/
(apophysis)
an outward growth or projection
Etymology
'apophysis' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'apóphysis' (ἀπόφυσις), where the prefix 'apo-' meant 'away from' and 'phýsis' meant 'a growth' or 'the act of growing'.
'apophysis' passed into Late/Modern Latin as 'apophysis' and was adopted into English with the same form; the plural in English is 'apophyses' (from Greek plural formation).
Initially it meant 'a growth away (from something)', and over time it developed the more specific anatomical and botanical sense of 'a projection or outgrowth' (especially on bone).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural of 'apophysis': bony outgrowths or projections on a bone (often sites of muscle or ligament attachment).
The X-ray showed enlarged apophyses at the lower vertebrae.
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Noun 2
outgrowths or swellings in other contexts (e.g., botanical or mycological structures that project from a surface).
The botanist noted several small apophyses along the stem where buds had formed.
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Last updated: 2025/09/21 05:22