symphysis

S1Y4M3P3H4Y4S1I1S1
/ˈsɪm.fɪs.ɪs/

noun

The process of two originally separate bones growing together as the subject matures, as with the pubic bones or lower jawbones in humans.

RareScrabble 22

Meanings

nounsymphysis (countable and uncountable, plural symphyses)

plural symphyses

  1. countableuncountableanatomyThe process of two originally separate bones growing together as the subject matures, as with the pubic bones or lower jawbones in humans.
  2. A place where two bones are closely joined in the median plane of the body, either forming an immovable joint (as between the pubic bones in the center of the pelvis) or completely fused (as at the midline of the lower jaw).
    1. countableuncountableanatomyA line, discernable on an X-ray, showing such fusion.
    2. countableuncountableanatomyThe cartilaginous material that adjoins and facilitates the junction of such bones, without a synovial membrane.

Origin

  1. New Latinsymphysis
  2. New Latinsymphysis
  3. Englishsymphysis

Borrowed from New Latin symphysis.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Polish symfiza
  • symfizaTranslations
Spanish sínfisis
  • sínfisisTranslations
Cite this entry
APA

symphysis. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/symphysis

MLA

“symphysis.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/symphysis. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “symphysis,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/symphysis.

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