appendage

American  

[uh-pen-dij] / əˈpɛn dɪdʒ /

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.

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appendage British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• appendaged adjective
• unappendaged adjective

Etymology

Origin of appendage

First recorded in 1640–50; append + -age

Example Sentences

For instance, AI systems have historically struggled to mimic human hands and have produced mangled appendages with too many digits.

From Scientific American

Someone else suggested adding some kind of appendage.

From New York Times

“Emma Smith was far more than an appendage and helpmate to prominent men,” the authors wrote.

From New York Times

Shiny latex balloons popped out from swathes of gauze like little pervy appendages, or were attached to trompe l’oeil silk screens of female bodies.

From New York Times

These morphing appendages help reveal to the researchers the invisible map of the creature’s development, showing how its body is built with familiar genes used in the harvestman’s own particular ways.

From New York Times

Related Words

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