distal

[ dis-tl ]
/ ˈdɪs tl /

adjective

situated away from the point of origin or attachment, as of a limb or bone; terminal.Compare proximal.
Dentistry. directed away from the sagittal plane or midline of the face, along the dental arch.Compare buccal(def 3), mesial(def 2).

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Origin of distal

First recorded in 1800–10; dist(ant) + -al1

OTHER WORDS FROM distal

dis·tal·ly, adverb

Words nearby distal

distad, distaff, distaff side, distaffer, distain, distal, distal myopathy, distance, distance learning, distance medley, distance modulus
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for distal

British Dictionary definitions for distal

distal
/ (ˈdɪstəl) /

adjective

anatomy (of a muscle, bone, limb, etc) situated farthest from the centre, median line, or point of attachment or originCompare proximal

Derived forms of distal

distally, adverb

Word Origin for distal

C19: from distant + -al 1
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

Medical definitions for distal

distal
[ dĭs′təl ]

adj.

Anatomically located far from a point of reference, such as an origin or a point of attachment.
Situated farthest from the middle and front of the jaw, as a tooth or tooth surface.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.