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caudal

[kawd-l]
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adjective
  1. Anatomy, Zoology. of, at, or near the tail or the posterior end of the body.
  2. Zoology. taillike: caudal appendages.
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noun
  1. Medicine/Medical. a caudal anesthetic
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Origin of caudal

1655–65; < New Latin caudālis, equivalent to Latin caud(a) tail + -ālis -al1
Related formscau·dal·ly, adverbpost·cau·dal, adjectivepre·cau·dal, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for caudal

Historical Examples

  • The caudal limb of the postcentral is joined by a transparietal piece.

    Christian Science

    Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)

  • So they got more tail and spliced it on to his caudal appendage.

    Lincoln's Yarns and Stories

    Alexander K. McClure

  • He named it falcata, or "scythe-shaped," from the curving of the caudal fin.

    Bass, Pike, Perch, and Others

    James Alexander Henshall

  • The caudal extremity of both is furnished with a rudimentary claw.

  • This brings you to where the dorsal and caudal fins are inserted.

British Dictionary definitions for caudal

caudal

adjective
  1. anatomy of or towards the posterior part of the body
  2. zoology relating to, resembling, or in the position of the tail
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Derived Formscaudally, adverb

Word Origin

C17: from New Latin caudālis, from cauda
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

Word Origin and History for caudal

adj.

1660s, from Latin cauda "tail of an animal," of unknown origin, + -al (1).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
caudal in Medicine

caudal

(kôd′l)
adj.
  1. Of, at, or near the tail or hind parts; posterior.
  2. Situated beneath or on the underside; inferior.
  3. Taillike.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
caudal in Science

caudal

[kôd′l]
  1. Relating to or near the tail or hind parts of an animal.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.