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hamate

American  
[hey-meyt] / ˈheɪ meɪt /

adjective

Anatomy.
  1. hook-shaped.

  2. having a hooklike process.


hamate British  
/ ˈheɪmeɪt /

adjective

  1. rare hook-shaped

"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

Etymology

Origin of hamate

1735–45; < Latin hāmātus hooked, equivalent to hām ( us ) hook + -ātus -ate 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“That may make a noticeable difference in a professional athlete,” said Dr. Tom DiLiberti, an orthopaedic surgeon in Dallas who performs hamate procedures on major leaguers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026

By holding the bat this way, the full weight of the knob drives into the hamate with every swing, slowly destabilizing it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026

He suffered a fractured hamate bone in his left wrist in July.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 5, 2023

Nationals: C Riley Adams underwent surgery to repair a fractured hamate bone in his left wrist.

From Washington Times • Sep. 11, 2023

Spores of Bacidia umbrina to illustrate the several-celled, hyaline, hamate or spirally twisted type.

From Ohio Biological Survey, Bull. 10, Vol. 11, No. 6 The Ascomycetes of Ohio IV and V by Hilker, Leafy Jane Corrington

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