ansa

A1N1S1A1
/ˈæn.sə/

noun

The most protruding part of planetary rings as seen from a distance, perceived to project like handles on either side of the disc of the planet.

“ansa-metallocene”

OriginLatin ānsa →
UncommonScrabble 4
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Meanings

nounansa (plural ansae)

plural ansae

  1. astronomyThe most protruding part of planetary rings as seen from a distance, perceived to project like handles on either side of the disc of the planet.
  2. anatomyA loop-shaped structure.
adjectiveansa (not comparable)
  1. not comparablechemistryBeing or relating to an ansa compound.

    ansa-metallocene

    2 more examples

    ansa-bisindenyl ligand

    an ansa bridge which allows for easy access to the oxygen donor atoms on the aromatic ring

Origin

  1. Latinānsa
  2. Latinānsa
  3. Englishansa

Borrowed from Latin ānsa (“a handle, haft”).

More words from Latin

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Irish ansa
  • ansamost protruding part of planetary rings

Rhymes & wordplay

Anagrams

NASASanaanasNaasAsan
Cite this entry
APA

ansa. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/ansa

MLA

“ansa.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/ansa. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “ansa,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/ansa.

Source: ansa on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.