Word origins

• epigraphicOf or pertaining to an epigraph or to epigraphy.
• orbicularisA muscle surrounding an opening.
• stalactiteA secondary mineral deposit of calcium carbonate or another mineral, in shapes similar to icicles, that hangs from the roof of a cave.
• tricaAn apothecium in certain lichens, having a spherical surface marked with spiral or concentric ridges and furrows.
• presterA priest or presbyter.
• gummaa soft, non-cancerous growth, a form of granuloma, resulting from the tertiary stage of syphilis.
• educableCapable of being educated.
• masseterThe large muscle which runs through the rear part of the cheek from the temporal bone to the lower jaw on each side, raises the lower jaw, and assists in mastication.
• stalagmiteA secondary mineral deposit of calcium carbonate or other mineral, in shapes similar to icicles, that lies on the ground of a cave.
• pronicBeing the product of two consecutive integers.
• oxyrhynchusa fish with a pointed snout
• pterygoidOf, pertaining to or lying in the region of the inferior part of the sphenoid bone of the vertebrate skull.
• anosmiaInability to smell; the inability to perceive odors.
• natriumSynonym of sodium.
• tomentosecovered in (often matted) hair.
• orchideaSynonym of orchid.
• polymorphousHaving, or assuming, a variety of forms, characters, or styles
• blastulaAn early form in the development of an embryo, consisting of a spherical layer of cells filled with fluid; a blastosphere.
• carpusThe group of bones that make up the wrist.
• frenulumA small fold or ridge of tissue that supports or restrains the motion of the part to which it is attached, in particular a fold of skin beneath the tongue, or between the lip and the gum.
• leprologyThe study of leprosy, particularly (medicine) its diagnosis and treatment.
• primiparousPregnant or giving birth for the first time.
• crepisA plant of the genus Crepis in the family Compositae.
• cricoidOf, relating to, or being a cricoid cartilage.
• pyriformPear-shaped.
• scutellumA rounded apothecium having an elevated rim formed of the proper thallus, the fructification of certain lichens.
• archaismThe adoption or imitation of archaic words or style.
• ecchymosisA skin discoloration caused by bleeding underneath the skin, especially one that is remote from a site of trauma or caused by a non-traumatic process (such as neoplasia).
• aponeurosisA flattened pearly white fibrous membrane taking the place of a tendon that binds together and forms the terminations and attachments of muscles or connects them to other body parts like skin or bone.
• campanulateShaped like a bell.
• neurulaAn embryo of vertebrates in the stage when the primitive band is first developed.
• asconA cavity, in the form of a bag or tube, lined with choanocytes, that forms the structure of sponges
• hyphaAny of the long, threadlike filaments that form the mycelium of a fungus.
• jugulumThe neck or throat.
• ab aeternoFrom time immemorial; from an infinitely remote point in the past.
• abasiaAn inability to walk due to a defect in muscular coordination.
• abductoryRelating to an abductor
• abecedariusAn acrostic poem in which the lines begin with the letters of the alphabet in sequence.
• ab inconvenientiFrom inconvenience or hardship.
• ab intrafrom inside; from within
• abomasumThe fourth digestive compartment of the stomach of a cow or other ruminant, after the omasum;
• abrocomeEither of the ratlike rodents that form the genus Abrocoma; rat chinchilla.
• abruptio placentaeA premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall.
• absente reoThe defendant being absent.
• abuliaAbsence of willpower or decisiveness, especially as a symptom of mental illness.
• acanthionA point lying near the base of the nose; specifically, the point at the base of the anterior nasal spine that lies on the mesial line; tip of the anterior nasal spine.
• acapniaThe state in which the level of carbon dioxide in the blood and tissue is significantly lower than normal.
• acetabuliformShaped like a saucer or shallow cup.
• acetabulouscup-shaped; acetabular.
• acholiaDeficiency or absence of bile.
• acinaciformShaped like a scimitar.
• acne rosaceaSynonym of rosacea.
• acraniaPartial or total absence of the skull.
• acro-The extremities: limbs, head, fingers, toes, etc.
• acrotismA lack or defect of the pulse.
• actinobolismRadiation; emission or projection.
• adespotaLiterary works not attributed to (or claimed by) an author. (Originally used as a title of collections of anonymous Greek poetry.)
• adiapneustiaDefective perspiration; adiaphoresis.
• ad libAt pleasure.
• aecidiumThe cupulate fruiting body borne upon the mycelium of certain fungi commonly parasitic upon specimens of the Compositae, Lamiaceae, Leguminosae, and Ranunculaceae families
• aeciumA cuplike fruiting structure of some parasitic rust fungi that contains chains of aeciospores.
• aedeagusA copulatory organ of some male insects.
• agalactiaThe failure of a mother (human or otherwise) to produce sufficient milk following birth.
• agminateGrouped together.
• albiflorousHaving white flowers.
• alexitericA preservative against infectious diseases.
• alexiteryAn antidote to poison.
• aloedaryA compound purgative medicine of which aloes is a chief ingredient.
• altricialHelpless at birth (of young animals); or having young which are helpless at birth.
• alveolar processA bony ridge or raised thickened border of the upper or lower jaw that contains the sockets of the teeth.
• amaurosisAny form of blindness that is accompanied by no obvious change to the eye; often the result of disease of the optic nerve.
• amblyopicof, relating to, or suffering from amblyopia
• amelogenesisThe formation of tooth enamel
• anabaptizeTo baptize or christen again, or to a different denomination; to rename or rechristen
• anangeonA justification of an action by inevitability or necessity.
• anaptychusOne of a pair of shelly plates found in some cephalopods, such as the ammonites. They are now considered to have been parts of the jaw.
• anaptycticOf or pertaining to anaptyxis; of a vowel having been inserted into a word.
• anconeusA muscle of the elbow and forearm.
• anglo-A combining form relating to England or, by extension, the United Kingdom.
• annulateHaving an annular form or shape.
• anophyteA moss or similar plant with cellular stems, having usually an upward growth and distinct leaves.
• ansa cervicalisA nerve loop from the upper cervical nerves that accompanies the hypoglossal nerve and innervates the infrahyoid muscles.
• apetalousHaving no petals.
• aphemiaA type of aphasia in which the ability to speak is lost or severely impaired.
• aphyllousHaving no leaves; leafless.
• aponeuroticOf or pertaining to an aponeurosis.
• arboriferousProducing or having many trees.
• archipterygiumA primitive fin, like that of Ceratodus.
• arillusAn aril.
• arytenoidRelating to or being an arytenoid cartilage.
• ascidiumA pitcher-shaped or flask-shaped organ or appendage of a plant.
• ascococcusA form of micrococcus, found in putrid meat infusions, occurring in peculiar masses, each of which is enclosed in a hyaline capsule and contains a large number of spherical micrococci.
• asphyxyasphyxiation, typically resulting in death; asphyxia
• astasiaInability to stand without assistance.
• atonyLack of muscle tone; flaccidity or atonia
• auricularisAny of three muscles attaching the cartilage of the external ear to the skull.
• aurora australisThe aurora of the southern hemisphere
• barytaAny of several compounds of barium, especially barium sulphate and barium hydroxide.
• batrachianAny frog (narrow sense) or toad.
• bellipotenceStrength in battle.