appendage

[uh-pen-dij]

noun

1. a subordinate part attached to something; an auxiliary part; addition.

2. Anatomy, Zoology.,  any member of the body diverging from the axial trunk.

3. Botany, Mycology.,  any subsidiary part superadded to another part.

4. a person in a subordinate or dependent position, especially a servile or parasitic follower.

appendage

/ əˈpɛndɪdʒ /

noun

1. an ancillary or secondary part attached to a main part; adjunct

2. zoology any organ that projects from the trunk of animals such as arthropods

3. botany any subsidiary part of a plant, such as a branch or leaf

Other Word Forms

• appendaged adjective
• unappendaged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of appendage¹

First recorded in 1640–50; append + -age

Example Sentences

The muscular appendage evaporates into a pale gas before it can hit the ground.

Read more on Literature

The fossil evidence also hints that the animal may have possessed small appendages for picking up and arranging mineral grains.

Read more on Science Daily

And then it worked its way down,” Now, he adds: “It’s an appendage to all of us.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Part of the cardio growth story is the Watchman product, a small implant that closes the left atrial appendage of patients with atrial fibrillation, or AF.

Read more on Barron's

Mr Teller said the name was also inspired by the distinctive pale "knuckles" on the small leg-like appendages at the side of the spider's mouth.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• arm 
• extremity 
• foot 
• hand 
• leg 
• limb