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extensor

[ ik-sten-ser, -sawr ]
/ ɪkˈstɛn sər, -sɔr /
|

noun Anatomy.

a muscle that serves to extend or straighten a part of the body.

Nearby words

extensionality, extensity, extensive, extensively, extensometer, extensor, extensor muscle of fingers, extensor muscle of index finger, extensor muscle of little finger, extensor retinaculum, extent

Origin of extensor

1700–10; < New Latin, equivalent to Latin extend(ere) to extend + -tor -tor, with -dt- > -s-
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for extensor

British Dictionary definitions for extensor

extensor

/ (ɪkˈstɛnsə, -sɔː) /

noun

any muscle that stretches or extends an arm, leg, or other bodily partCompare flexor

Word Origin for extensor

C18: from New Latin, from Latin extensus stretched out
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 extensor

extensor

n.

1713, short for medical Latin musculus extensor, from Late Latin extensor "stretcher," agent noun from Latin extensus (see extend).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Medicine definitions for extensor

extensor

[ ĭk-stĕn′sər ]

n.

A muscle that extends or straightens a limb or body part.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Science definitions for extensor

extensor

[ ĭk-stĕn′sər ]

A muscle that extends or straightens a limb or joint. Compare flexor.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.