axillary

American  

[ak-suh-ler-ee] / ˈæk səˌlɛr i /

adjective

1. Anatomy, Ornithology. pertaining to the axilla.

2. Botany. pertaining to or growing from the axil.

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noun

plural

axillaries

1. Ornithology. axillar.

axillary British  

/ ækˈsɪlərɪ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or near the armpit

2. botany growing in or related to the axil

   an axillary bud

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noun

1. Also called: axillar.  (usually plural) one of the feathers growing from the axilla of a bird's wing

Other Word Forms

• interaxillary adjective
• postaxillary adjective
• superaxillary adjective

Etymology

Origin of axillary

First recorded in 1605–15; axill(a) + -ary

Example Sentences

Mr Flack said that transection of the left axillary artery – the main artery to the arm – was also a contributory cause to her death.

From BBC • Aug. 15, 2024

More than one-third of patients who underwent axillary dissection were found to have additional metastases than the maximum two in the sentinel lymph nodes.

From Science Daily • Apr. 4, 2024

Gardeners make use of this fact when they prune plants by cutting off the tops of branches, thus encouraging the axillary buds to grow out, giving the plant a bushy shape.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

The basilic vein continues through the arm medially and superficially to the axillary vein.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Usually twining or trailing; flowers on axillary peduncles or cymose-glomerate.

From The Manual of the Botany of the Northern United States Including the District East of the Mississippi and North of North Carolina and Tennessee by Gray, Asa