clavus

American  

[kley-vuhs, klah-] / ˈkleɪ vəs, ˈklɑ- /

noun

plural

clavi

1. Psychiatry. an intense headache in which the pain is likened to one that would be produced by a sharp object driven into the skull.

2. (in ancient Rome) a vertical stripe or band of purple worn on the tunic by senators and equites.

3. Entomology. clavola.

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Etymology

Origin of clavus

1800–10; < Latin: literally, nail; akin to claudere to close

Example Sentences

But in this case, scientists discovered a giant structure built entirely out of one species of coral, known as Pavona clavus.

From NewsForKids.net

The creatures aren't graceful swimmers; they’re often seen “waggling their large dorsal and anal fins to move and steering with their clavus,” according to National Geographic.

From Fox News

Somewhat magnified. sc, scutellum; co, cl, m, corium, clavus and membrane of forewing.

From Project Gutenberg

Perfectly valueless for the really severe neuralgias, it is of the greatest possible use as a palliative in migraine and clavus, where the great object, for the moment, is to get the patient to sleep.

From Project Gutenberg

Hysterical patients describe a sensation as if a nail were being driven into the forehead—the so-called clavus hystericus.

From Project Gutenberg