post-median
|post-mi-di-an|
🇺🇸
/ˌpoʊstˈmiːdiən/
🇬🇧
/ˌpəʊstˈmiːdɪən/
after the middle
Etymology
'post-median' is formed from the Latin prefix 'post-' meaning 'after' and the adjective 'median' from Latin 'medianus' (from 'medius') meaning 'middle'.
'post-' remained as the Latin prefix 'post' (meaning 'after') and 'median' comes from Medieval/Scientific Latin 'medianus' (from Latin 'medius') and entered modern English as 'median'; the compound 'post-median' is formed in English by prefixing 'post-' to 'median'.
Initially the elements meant 'after' and 'middle' respectively; the compound has retained the literal sense 'after the middle' and is used in anatomical and descriptive contexts to denote position relative to the middle.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a region or feature that lies posterior to the median line or plane (often used in anatomy and descriptive biology, e.g., 'the post-median of the wing').
The post-median of the abdomen is marked by a narrow stripe.
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Adjective 1
situated posterior to the median (middle) plane or line; located beyond the middle.
The specimen shows a distinct post-median band on the wing.
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Antonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/05 21:01