cancellus

[ kan-sel-uh s ]

/ kænˈsɛl əs /

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.

Nearby words

cancellation, cancellation law, cancellous, cancellous bone, cancellous tissue, cancellus, cancer, cancer cluster, cancer family, cancer gene, cancer stick

Origin of cancellus

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Medicine definitions for cancellus

cancellus

[ kăn-sĕl′əs ]

n. pl. can•cel•li (-lī′)

A latticelike structure, such as spongy bone.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.