fossa
1[ fos-uh ]
/ ˈfɒs ə /
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noun, plural fos·sae [fos-ee]. /ˈfɒs i/. Anatomy.
a pit, cavity, or depression, as in a bone.
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Origin of fossa
11820–30; <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
Other definitions for fossa (2 of 2)
fossa2
[ fos-uh ]
/ ˈfɒs ə /
noun
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.
Also called fossa cat .
Origin of fossa
21830–40; <Malagasy; compare earlier fossane (<French < Malagasy)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use fossa in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for fossa (1 of 2)
fossa1
/ (ˈfɒsə) /
noun plural -sae (-siː)
an anatomical depression, trench, or hollow area
Word Origin for fossa
C19: from Latin: ditch, from fossus dug up, from fodere to dig up
British Dictionary definitions for fossa (2 of 2)
fossa2
/ (ˈfɒsə) /
noun
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
Word Origin for fossa
from Malagasy
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Medical definitions for fossa
fossa
[ fŏs′ə ]
n. pl. fos•sae (fŏs′ē′)
A small longitudinal cavity or depression, as in a bone.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.