subclavius

[ suhb-kley-vee-uhs ]

noun

, Anatomy.

, plural sub·cla·vi·i [suhb-, kley, -vee-ahy].

1. a small shoulder muscle, the action of which assists in depressing the shoulder.

Word History and Origins

Origin of subclavius¹

1695–1705; < New Latin subclāvius ( musculus ) subclavian (muscle), equivalent to Latin sub- sub- + clāvi ( s ) key ( clavicle ) + -us adj. suffix

Example Sentences

In a few cases the interposition of some fibres of the subclavius muscle between the fragments has prevented perfect reduction.

From Project Gutenberg