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

The brachial artery is the distal branch of the axillary artery.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Apocrine sweat glands in the axillary and genital areas release fatty secretions that local bacteria break down; this causes body odor.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Shrubby, often spiny plants, with alternate and entire small leaves, and mostly axillary small flowers.

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