auricle

[ awr-i-kuhl ]

noun

1. Anatomy.
   1. the projecting outer portion of the ear; pinna.
   2. Also called au·ric·u·lar ap·pend·age [aw-, rik, -y, uh, -ler , uh, -, pen, -dij]. an ear-shaped appendage projecting from each atrium of the heart.
   3. (loosely) the atrium.
2. Botany, Zoology. a part like or likened to an ear.

auricle

/ ˈɔːrɪkəl /

noun

1. 1. the upper chamber of the heart; atrium
   2. a small sac in the atrium of the heart
2. Also calledpinna anatomy the external part of the ear
3. Also calledauricula biology an ear-shaped part or appendage, such as that occurring at the join of the leaf blade and the leaf sheath in some grasses

auricle

/ ôr′ĭ-kəl /

1. The visible part of the outer ear.
2. An atrium of the heart.

Derived Forms

• ˈauricled, adjective

Other Words From

• au·ri·cled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of auricle¹

First recorded in 1645–55, auricle is from the Latin word auricula the (external) ear, ear lobe. See auri- ², -cle ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of auricle¹

C17: from Latin auricula the external ear, from auris ear

Example Sentences

Stevenson, in one of the cases detailed at p. 67, found the blood in the right auricle to contain 0·03 per cent.

From Project Gutenberg

In animals with cold blood, (as fishes,) the heart is single, having but one auricle and one ventricle.

From Project Gutenberg

From the left auricle it passes into the left ventricle, and is from thence distributed by the arteries all over the body.

From Project Gutenberg

By this passage it is taken into the right auricle, along with the impure blood of the vena cava.

From Project Gutenberg

At the end of the fourth day the auricle becomes divided into two, affording a parallel with the adult heart of many reptiles.

From Project Gutenberg