xiphoid

X8I1P3H4O1I1D2
/ˈzɪfɔɪd/

adjective

Shaped like a sword, ensiform.

OriginAncient Greek ξιφοειδής →
Scrabble 20
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Meanings

adjectivexiphoid (not comparable)
  1. not comparableShaped like a sword, ensiform.
  2. not comparableanatomyOf or relating to the xiphoid process (also called xiphisternum).
nounxiphoid (plural xiphoids)

plural xiphoids

  1. anatomyThe xiphoid process.

    In Asian pangolins the xiphoids are shorter[…]

    2000, Kurt Schwenk, Feeding: Form, Function and Evolution in Tetrapod Vertebrates, page 466

Origin

  1. Ancient Greekξιφοειδής“sword-shaped”
  2. Englishxiphoid

From Ancient Greek ξιφοειδής (xiphoeidḗs, “sword-shaped”).

More words from Ancient Greek

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Italian xifoide
  • xifoideof or relating to the xiphisternum
Latin xiphoīdeus
  • xiphoīdeusof or relating to the xiphisternum
Polish mieczowaty, wyrostkowy
  • mieczowatyensiform; swordlike
  • wyrostkowyof or relating to the xiphisternum
  • wyrostek mieczykowatyxiphoid process
Spanish xifoide
  • xifoideof or relating to the xiphisternum
Cite this entry
APA

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

MLA

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

Chicago

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

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