carotid

[ kuh-rot-id ]

noun
  1. Also called ca·rot·id ar·ter·y [kuh-rot-id ahr-tuh-ree] /kəˈrɒt ɪd ˈɑr tə ri/ . either of the two large arteries, one on each side of the head, that carry blood to the head and that divide into an external branch supplying the neck, face, and other external parts, and an internal branch supplying the brain, eye, and other internal parts.

adjective
  1. pertaining to a carotid artery.

Origin of carotid

1
1660–70; <Greek karōtídes neck arteries, equivalent to karōt(ikós) soporific (kár(os) stupor + -ōtikos-otic) + -ides-id1; so called by Galen, who found that their compression causes stupor

Other words from carotid

  • ca·rot·id·al, adjective
  • in·ter·ca·rot·id, adjective
  • post·ca·rot·id, adjective

Words Nearby carotid

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How to use carotid in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for carotid

carotid

/ (kəˈrɒtɪd) /


noun
  1. either one of the two principal arteries that supply blood to the head and neck

adjective
  1. of or relating to either of these arteries

Origin of carotid

1
C17: from French, from Greek karōtides, from karoun to stupefy; so named by Galen, because pressure on them produced unconsciousness

Derived forms of carotid

  • carotidal, adjective

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