intima

[ in-tuh-muh ]

noun,plural in·ti·mae [in-tuh-mee]. /ˈɪn təˌmi/. Anatomy.
  1. the innermost membrane or lining of some organ or part, especially that of an artery, vein, or lymphatic.

Origin of intima

1
1870–75; <New Latin, noun use of feminine of Latin intimus,intumus inmost, equivalent to in-in-2 + -timus superlative suffix; cf. optimal, ultimate

Other words from intima

  • in·ti·mal, adjective
  • sub·in·ti·mal, adjective

Words Nearby intima

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How to use intima in a sentence

  • Itaque legatum cum donis ad eum misit C. Laelium, quocum intima familiaritate vivebat.

    Selections from Viri Romae | Charles Franois L'Homond
  • Al fin intima al Sumo Pontfice que renuncie al gobierno temporal de los Estados romanos.

    Novelas Cortas | Pedro Antonio de Alarcn
  • In intima et ultima secretiori bibliotheca ubi libri sunt pretiosiores.

    The Care of Books | John Willis Clark
  • These valves are composed of semilunar folds of the tunica intima strengthened by an addition of connective tissue.

    Manual of Surgery | Alexis Thomson and Alexander Miles
  • He remarks also that he observed hyaline degeneration of the intima of arteries in the spleen.

British Dictionary definitions for intima

intima

/ (ˈɪntɪmə) /


nounplural -mae (-ˌmiː)
  1. anatomy zoology the innermost layer of an organ or part, esp of a blood vessel

Origin of intima

1
C19: from Latin, feminine of intimus innermost; see intimate 1

Derived forms of intima

  • intimal, adjective

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