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extensor

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

noun

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


extensor British  
/ ɪkˈstɛnsə, -sɔː /

noun

  1. any muscle that stretches or extends an arm, leg, or other bodily part Compare flexor

"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

extensor Scientific  
/ ĭk-stĕnsər /
  1. A muscle that extends or straightens a limb or joint.

  2. Compare flexor


Etymology

Origin of extensor

1700–10; < New Latin, equivalent to Latin extend ( ere ) to extend + -tor -tor, with -dt- > -s-

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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.

Hernández repaired a torn extensor tender in his left elbow after the season, which will cause him to miss next month’s World Baseball Classic and the start of the 2026 season.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 12, 2026

The same approach makes it possible to control different finger movements that are selected with the simultaneous activation of both flexor and extensor muscle groups.

From Science Daily • Dec. 5, 2023

Twins: RHP Jorge Alcala was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right forearm extensor muscle strain, retroactive to Monday.

From Washington Times • May 17, 2023

He left with what the Red Sox said was right forearm extensor tightness.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 8, 2022

C. The long extensor of the thumb and the special extensor of the index are absent.

From Artistic Anatomy of Animals by Cuyer, ?douard

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