funiculus

[ fyoo-nik-yuh-luh s ]

/ fyuˈnɪk yə ləs /

noun, plural fu·nic·u·li [fyoo-nik-yuh-lahy] /fyuˈnɪk yəˌlaɪ/.

Anatomy. a conducting cord, as a nerve cord or umbilical cord.

Botany. a funicle.

Entomology. (in certain insects) the portion of the antenna between the basal segments and the club.

Words nearby funiculus

funicular process, funicular railway, funiculate, funiculitis, funiculopexy, funiculus, funiform, funis, funk, funk hole, funked

Origin of funiculus

1655–65; < Latin: small rope, cord, equivalent to fūni(s) rope, line + -culus -cule¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for funiculi

Moquin also alludes to a case of the same nature in Cortusa Mathioli, in which the funiculi bore little rounded leaves.
Vegetable Teratology|Maxwell T. Masters
In other cases no traces of ovules are visible, but the funiculi are in a foliaceous condition.
Vegetable Teratology|Maxwell T. Masters
We swam round the Castello until we were opposite your windows, and sang 'Funiculi, funicula!'
A Spirit in Prison|Robert Hichens
Funiculi funicula Vincente y Blasco Ibanez vermicelli sul campo della gloria risotto!
The Adventures of Sally|P. G. Wodehouse

When Funiculi Funiculà was over he sat on the wooden chair provided for him and wiped his face.
The Belovd Vagabond|William J. Locke

British Dictionary definitions for funiculi

funiculus

/ (fjuːˈnɪkjʊləs) /

noun plural -li (-ˌlaɪ)

anatomy a cordlike part or structure, esp a small bundle of nerve fibres in the spinal cord

a variant of funicle

Word Origin for funiculus

C17: from Latin; see funicle

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

Medicine definitions for funiculi

funiculus

[ fyu-nĭk′yə-ləs, fə- ]

n. pl. fu•nic•u•li (-lī′)

A slender cordlike strand or band, especially a bundle of nerve fibers in a nerve trunk.

Any of three major divisions of white matter in the spinal cord, consisting of fasciculi.

The umbilical cord.

Other words from funiculus

fu•nic′u•lar (-lər) adj.

Science definitions for funiculi

funiculus

[ fyu-nĭk′yə-ləs ]

Plural funiculi (fyu-nĭk′yə-lī)

A stalk connecting an ovule or a seed with the placenta (the ovary wall). In some plants, the funiculus develops into a fleshy seed covering called an aril.

A slender, cordlike strand or band, especially a bundle of nerve fibers in a nerve trunk.

Any of three major divisions of white matter in the spinal cord.

The umbilical cord.