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cauda

American  
[kou-duh, kaw-] / ˈkaʊ də, ˈkɔ- /

noun

Anatomy, Zoology.
caudae plural
  1. a tail or taillike appendage.


cauda British  
/ ˈkɔːdə /

noun

  1. zoology the area behind the anus of an animal; tail

  2. anatomy

    1. any tail-like structure

    2. the posterior part of an organ

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of cauda

1690–1700; < Latin: tail

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The “Criminal Minds” star also underwent multiple spinal surgeries to manage cauda equina syndrome, a rare condition in which nerve bundle in the lumbar or sacral spine are compressed or not functioning properly.

From Los Angeles Times May 5, 2026

These days, you'll find farinata or tarta cauda in Liguria, belecauda in southern Piedmont, cade in Toulon, cecina in Tuscany, and calentica in Algeria.

From Salon Oct. 1, 2022

Erectile dysfunction, for example, can be caused by cardiovascular issues, depression, and even musculoskeletal problems like cauda equina syndrome—three things that can’t be treated with an ED drug.

From Slate Mar. 23, 2022

Martin Brown, a former champion weightlifter, injured his cauda equina in the gym.

From BBC Aug. 19, 2019

If you knew Latin, madame, I should say to you, In cauda venenum; which means, "In the tail of the serpent is its venom,"—a remark of antiquity which modern science does not admit.

From The Deputy of Arcis by Wormeley, Katharine Prescott

That the perfection of consistency in a nation, is to dock itself at home, while its foreign agents furiously cultivate caudae abroad.

From The Monikins by Cooper, James Fenimore

"Well, sir, WE too have our traditions; and an eminent writer, at no great distance of time, has laid it down as incontrovertible, that men once HAD caudae."

From The Monikins by Cooper, James Fenimore

Had he asked me, for instance, how many caudae our bishops wear, I should have been badgered; for, as near as I could recollect, their personal illustration was of another character.

From The Monikins by Cooper, James Fenimore

These writers had the audacity to say that the Leaplowers had cut off all their caudae, and the whole community was convulsed at an outrage so unprecedented.

From The Monikins by Cooper, James Fenimore

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