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coaptation

American  
[koh-ap-tey-shuhn] / ˌkoʊ æpˈteɪ ʃən /

noun

  1. a joining or adjustment of parts to one another.

    the coaptation of a broken bone.


coaptation British  
/ ˌkəʊæpˈteɪʃən /

noun

  1. the joining or reuniting of two surfaces, esp the ends of a broken bone or the edges of a wound

"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

Etymology

Origin of coaptation

1555–65; < Late Latin coaptātiōn-, stem of coaptātiō; see coapt, -ation

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:

“If you have one or two get and stay swollen, the coaptation becomes off so the normal squeeze that’s there can be gaping a little bit,” Goldstein explained.

From Slate Nov. 25, 2020

When a simple fracture has been properly treated and the broken ends of the bone have been securely held in coaptation, one of two things will occur.

From Special Report on Diseases of the Horse by Michener, Charles B.

The fragments having been freed, and any shortening of the limb corrected in this way, the broken ends are moulded into position—a process termed coaptation.

From Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities—Head—Neck. Sixth Edition. by Miles, Alexander

These stitches of coaptation may be interrupted or continuous.

From Manual of Surgery Volume First: General Surgery. Sixth Edition. by Thomson, Alexis

When there is any difficulty in bringing the edges of the wound into apposition, a few interrupted relaxation stitches may be introduced wide of the margins, to take the strain off the coaptation stitches.

From Manual of Surgery Volume First: General Surgery. Sixth Edition. by Thomson, Alexis

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