lachrymal

American  

[lak-ruh-muhl] / ˈlæk rə məl /

adjective

1. of or relating to tears.

2. producing tears.

3. characterized by tears; indicative of weeping.

4. Anatomy. lacrimal.

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noun

1. Also called lachrymal bone.  Anatomy. lacrimal bone.

2. lachrymatory.

lachrymal British  

/ ˈlækrɪməl /

adjective

1. a variant spelling of lacrimal

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Other Word Forms

• postlachrymal adjective

Etymology

Origin of lachrymal

1535–45; < Medieval Latin lachrymālis, equivalent to Latin lachrym ( a ) (Hellenized spelling of lacrima, lacruma (OL dacrima ) tear, probably ≪ Greek dákrȳma, derivative of dákry; tear ¹ ) + -ālis -al ¹

Example Sentences

It is one of several recent recordings that suggest that the pedal steel — familiar mostly for the lachrymal textures it has long lent to country music — is finding renewal in unexpected places.

From New York Times

The lump in my throat began to feel less infectious than lachrymal.

From The Guardian

Recent studies found that stonefish, a group that includes many species, have a previously unknown defensive weapon: a “lachrymal saber” in each cheek that can be drawn and retracted as needed.

From Seattle Times

Stonefish, a group that includes many species, have a previously unknown defensive weapon: a “lachrymal saber” in each cheek that can be drawn and retracted as needed.

From New York Times

Her pseudo-sympathetic tears are the lachrymal corollary to the famous line from Hamlet that one can “smile and smile and smile and be a villain.”

From The Verge