Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

apophysis

[uh-pof-uh-sis]
noun, plural a·poph·y·ses [uh-pof-uh-seez] /əˈpɒf əˌsiz/.
  1. Anatomy, Botany. an outgrowth; process; projection or protuberance.
  2. Architecture. apophyge.
Show More

Origin of apophysis

1605–15; < New Latin < Greek: offshoot, equivalent to apo- apo- + phýsis growth, equivalent to phý(ein) to bring forth + -sis -sis
Related formsa·poph·y·sate [uh-pof-uh-sit, -seyt] /əˈpɒf ə sɪt, -ˌseɪt/, adjectiveap·o·phys·e·al, ap·o·phys·i·al [ap-uh-fiz-ee-uh l, uh-pof-uh-see-uh l] /ˌæp əˈfɪz i əl, əˌpɒf əˈsi əl/, a·poph·y·sar·y [uh-pof-uh-ser-ee] /əˈpɒf əˌsɛr i/, adjectivein·ter·ap·o·phys·e·al, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for apophyseal

apophysis

noun plural -ses (-ˌsiːz)
  1. a process, outgrowth, or swelling from part of an animal or plant
  2. geology a tapering offshoot from a larger igneous intrusive mass
Show More
Derived Formsapophysate (əˈpɒfɪsɪt, -seɪt), adjectiveapophysial (ˌæpəˈfɪzɪəl), adjective

Word Origin

C17: via New Latin from Greek apophusis a sideshoot, from apo- + phusis growth
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
apophyseal in Medicine

apophysis

(ə-pŏf′ĭ-sĭs)
n. pl. a•poph•y•ses (-sēz′)
  1. An outgrowth or projection of an organ or part, especially an outgrowth from a bone that lacks an independent center of ossification.
Show More
Related formsap′o•phys′i•al (ăp′ə-fĭz′ē-əl) null adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.