epididymis

[ ep-i-did-uh-mis ]

/ ˌɛp ɪˈdɪd ə mɪs /

Save This Word!

noun, plural ep·i·di·dym·i·des

[ep-i-di-dim-i-deez, -did-uh-mi-]. /ˌɛp ɪ dɪˈdɪm ɪˌdiz, -ˈdɪd ə mɪ-/. Anatomy.

an elongated organ on the posterior surface of a testis that stores sperm while they mature and constitutes the convoluted beginning of the vas deferens.

QUIZ

GOOSES. GEESES. I WANT THIS QUIZ ON PLURAL NOUNS!

Test how much you really know about regular and irregular plural nouns with this quiz.

Question 1 of 9

Which of the following nouns has an irregular plural form?

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of epididymis

1600–10; <Greek epididymís;see epi-, didymous

OTHER WORDS FROM epididymis

ep·i·did·y·mal, adjective

Words nearby epididymis

epidermolysis bullosa, Epidermophyton, epidermotropism, epidiascope, epididymectomy, epididymis, epididymitis, epididymo-orchitis, epididymoplasty, epididymotomy, epididymovasectomy

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use epididymis in a sentence

This epithelium is found lining parts of the respiratory passages, the vas deferens and the epididymis.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 6|Various
Its tubules unite with the seminiferous tubules, and also form the epididymis.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume 1|Francis Maitland Balfour
These two surgeons have restored function in six such cases by uniting the vas with the epididymis by Martin's operation.
The Ethics of Medical Homicide and Mutilation|Austin O'Malley
The latter are stored in both ductus deferens and ductus epididymis.
Natural History of the Racer Coluber constrictor|Henry S. Fitch

The epididymis referred to above, consists of a mass of coiled tubes and blood vessels.
The Biology, Physiology and Sociology of Reproduction|Winfield S. Hall

British Dictionary definitions for epididymis

epididymis

/ (ˌɛpɪˈdɪdɪmɪs) /

noun plural -didymides (-dɪˈdɪmɪˌdiːz)

anatomy a convoluted tube situated along the posterior margin of each testis, in which spermatozoa are stored and conveyed to the vas deferens

Derived forms of epididymis

epididymal, adjective

Word Origin for epididymis

C17: from Greek epididumis, from epi- + didumos twin, testicle; see didymous

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 epididymis

epididymis

[ ĕp′ĭ-dĭd′ə-mĭs ]

n. pl. ep•i•did•y•mi•des (-mĭ-dēz′)

A long, narrow, convoluted tube in the spermatic duct system that lies on the posterior aspect of each testicle and connects with the vas deferens.