cancellus

[ kan-sel-uhs ]

/ kænˈsɛl əs /

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noun, plural can·cel·li

[kan-sel-ahy, -sel-ee]. /kænˈsɛl aɪ, -ˈsɛl i/. Architecture.

(in an early Christian basilica) one of a row of bars separating the clergy and sometimes the choir from the congregation.

(in an ancient Roman basilica) one of a row of bars separating the court personnel from the spectators.

cancelli, a screen of such bars.

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Origin of cancellus

<Latin, equivalent to canc(rī) grating (plural of cancer, apparently dissimilated form of carcer prison) + -ellus diminutive suffix

Words nearby cancellus

cancellation, cancellation law, cancellous, cancellous bone, cancellous tissue, cancellus, cancel out, cancer, cancer á deux, cancerate, canceration

Medical definitions for cancellus

cancellus

[ kăn-sĕl′əs ]

n. pl. can•cel•li (-lī′)

A latticelike structure, such as spongy bone.