rectus

[ rek-tuhs ]

noun,plural rec·ti [rek-tahy]. /ˈrɛk taɪ/. Anatomy.
  1. any of several straight muscles, as of the abdomen, thigh, eye, etc.

Origin of rectus

1
1695–1705; <New Latin rēctus (musculus) straight (muscle)

Words Nearby rectus

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use rectus in a sentence

  • To get a full six pack, you’ll need to work the full rectus abdominis—so you won’t get there by doing 1,000 crunches a day.

  • Certainly tenotomy of the external rectus of the fixing eye is as a rule also necessary.

    Schweigger on Squint | C. Schweigger
  • On October 2nd, 1879, shortening of the left internal rectus, tenotomy of both externi.

    Schweigger on Squint | C. Schweigger
  • Tenotomy of the internal rectus and advancement of the abducens of the right eye at the end of December.

    Schweigger on Squint | C. Schweigger
  • At the end of May, 1879, shortening of the left internal rectus, tenotomy of both externi.

    Schweigger on Squint | C. Schweigger
  • In order to proceed carefully, I confined myself at first to tenotomy of the internal rectus of the right eye.

    Schweigger on Squint | C. Schweigger

British Dictionary definitions for rectus

rectus

/ (ˈrɛktəs) /


nounplural -ti (-taɪ)
  1. anatomy a straight muscle, esp either of two muscles of the anterior abdominal wall (rectus abdominis)

Origin of rectus

1
C18: from New Latin rectus musculus

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012