fontanel

American  

[fon-tn-el] / ˌfɒn tnˈɛl /

Or fontanelle

noun

Anatomy.

1. one of the spaces, covered by membrane, between the bones of the fetal or young skull.

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Etymology

Origin of fontanel

1375–1425; late Middle English fontinel < Middle French fontanele little spring, diminutive of fontaine fountain

Example Sentences

His fontanel, the soft spot on the top of his head, was flat — as it should be.

From New York Times • Sep. 1, 2022

I was gobsmacked by my babies: their meaty beauty and smell, the doughy smoothness of their skin, the pulsing crater of fontanel.

From New York Times • Apr. 16, 2015

Once the fontanel grew over, however, the hat could be safely removed.

From Salon • Feb. 16, 2014

He always bounces out of the wings, a square, bullet-headed man, smooth shaven except for a tiny marceled patch where his fontanel was 30 years ago.

From Time Magazine Archive

I peeled one and rolled it all over the baby’s head, his eyes, his lips, off his bump of a nose, his cheeks, his dear bald head and fontanel.

From "The Woman Warrior" by Maxine Hong Kingston