fossa

¹ American  

[fos-uh] / ˈfɒs ə /

noun

Anatomy.

plural

fossae

1. a pit, cavity, or depression, as in a bone.

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fossa ² American  

[fos-uh] / ˈfɒs ə /

noun

1. a forest-dwelling genetlike mammal, Cryptoprocta ferox, of the civet family, native to Madagascar, with a short coat of white, black, gray, or brown: now rare.

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fossa ¹ British  

/ ˈfɒsə /

noun

1. an anatomical depression, trench, or hollow area

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fossa ² British  

/ ˈfɒsə /

noun

1. a large primitive catlike viverrine mammal, Cryptoprocta ferox , inhabiting the forests of Madagascar: order Carnivora (carnivores). It has thick reddish-brown fur and preys on lemurs, poultry, etc

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Etymology

Origin of fossa¹

1820–30; < Latin: ditch, trench, fosse, short for fossa ( terra ) dug or dug out (earth), noun use of feminine of fossus, past participle of fodere to dig

Origin of fossa²

1830–40; < Malagasy; compare earlier fossane (< French < Malagasy)

Example Sentences

It is home to wildlife such as ring-tailed lemurs, the long-tailed cat, the fossa, spiny hedgehog-like mammals called tenrecs and nocturnal primates known as aye-ayes.

From BBC • Jan. 10, 2023

As the femoral artery passes posterior to the knee near the popliteal fossa, it is called the popliteal artery.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The temporal lobes of the brain occupy this fossa.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

A small area of the ethmoid bone, consisting of the crista galli and cribriform plates, is located at the midline of this fossa.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Tumors situated in the iliac fossa have a more or less convex form, and may be of such considerable size that the swelling may be recognized by the eye through the abdominal walls.

From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various