apophysis
|a-po-phy-sis|
🇺🇸
/ˌæpəˈfɪsɪs/
🇬🇧
/ˌæpəˈfɒsɪs/
an outward growth or projection
Etymology
'apophysis' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'apóphysis', where 'apo-' meant 'away, off' and 'phýsis' meant 'a growth' or 'growthing'.
'apóphysis' was adopted into Late/Neo-Latin as 'apophysis' for scientific use and then entered Modern English from scientific Latin/Greek usage, retaining its form and specialized senses.
Initially it meant 'a natural outgrowth' in Greek, and over time it retained that core meaning while becoming specialized in fields such as anatomy, botany/mycology, and geology.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a natural outgrowth or projection on a bone, often a bony prominence serving as an attachment point for muscles or tendons.
The surgeon examined the apophysis on the femur where the tendon attached.
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Noun 2
a swelling or expanded region (for example, the swollen base of an ascus in certain fungi) or an outgrowth on a plant.
Under the microscope the apophysis at the base of the ascus was clearly visible.
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Last updated: 2025/09/21 05:50