desmosome

D2E1S1M3O1S1O1M3E1

noun

A structural unit that functions in the adhesion of cells to form tissue.

OriginAncient Greek σῶμα (sôma) ← Proto-Hellenic *styṓmə? ← Proto-Indo-European *(s)tyoH-mn̥ →
Scrabble 14
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Meanings

noundesmosome (plural desmosomes)

plural desmosomes

  1. biologyA structural unit that functions in the adhesion of cells to form tissue.

Origin

  1. Englishdesmo-
  2. Proto-Indo-European*tewh₂-
  3. Proto-Indo-European*twoH-mn̥
  4. Proto-Hellenic*twṓmə?
  5. Proto-Indo-European*styeH-
  6. Proto-Indo-European*(s)tyoH-mn̥
  7. Proto-Hellenic*styṓmə?
  8. Ancient Greekσῶμα (sôma)
  9. Englishdesmosome

From desmo- + -some.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

French desmosome
  • desmosomea structural unit that functions in the adhesion of cells to form tissue
German Desmosom
  • Desmosoma structural unit that functions in the adhesion of cells to form tissue
Indonesian desmosom
  • desmosoma structural unit that functions in the adhesion of cells to form tissue
Italian desmosoma
  • desmosomaa structural unit that functions in the adhesion of cells to form tissue
Portuguese desmossomo, desmossoma
  • desmossomoa structural unit that functions in the adhesion of cells to form tissue
  • desmossomaa structural unit that functions in the adhesion of cells to form tissue
Spanish desmosoma
  • desmosomaa structural unit that functions in the adhesion of cells to form tissue
Cite this entry
APA

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

MLA

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

Chicago

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

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