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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Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT 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
Definition 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. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for fossa
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.