ansa

[an-suh]

noun

plural

ansae 

1. Archaeology.,  a looped handle, especially of a vase.

2. Astronomy.,  either of the apparent extremities of the rings of Saturn or of other planets, especially when viewed from the earth or from spacecraft under certain conditions, when they look like two handles.

3. Anatomy.,  a loop-shaped anatomical structure, found primarily in the nervous system.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ansa¹

First recorded in 1400–50 (in the anatomical sense “zygomatic arch”); 1660–70 ansa for def. 2; Middle English, from Latin ānsa “handle (of a cup or jar), handle (of a door), loop, clamp”

Example Sentences

One of the workers is in a coma, according to reports by Italian news agency Ansa, who report that he was resuscitated, intubated and taken to San Bassiano hospital by helicopter.

From BBC

"I can't say if he's remorseful, he's quite closed up," Mr Leone was quoted by Ansa news agency as saying.

From BBC

Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani was more blunt, saying the idea was "premature", according to the Italian news agency Ansa.

From BBC

Italian news agency Ansa reported that the pontiff was now out of the "critical phase", citing Vatican sources.

From BBC

Her partner, fellow journalist Daniele Raineri, told Ansa: "I spoke to her and she told me 'I'll see you soon', she was emotional and overjoyed."

From BBC