lunate

American  

[loo-neyt] / ˈlu neɪt /

adjective

1. Also lunated being in the shape of a crescent; crescent-shaped.

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noun

1. Anatomy. the second bone from the thumb side of the proximal row of bones of the carpus.

2. a crescent-shaped, microlithic artifact mounted in a haft to form a composite tool, mostly Mesolithic in origin.

lunate British  

/ ˈluːneɪt /

adjective

1. anatomy botany shaped like a crescent

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noun

1. a crescent-shaped bone forming part of the wrist

Other Word Forms

• lunately adverb
• semilunate adjective
• semilunated adjective
• sublunate adjective
• sublunated adjective
• unlunate adjective
• unlunated adjective

Etymology

Origin of lunate

First recorded in 1770–80, lunate is from the Latin word lūnātus crescent-shaped. See Luna, -ate ¹

Example Sentences

The same goes for 6-4, 213-pound junior wide receiver Ty Jones, who missed all but one practice last spring with a dislocated lunate bone and torn ligaments in his right wrist.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 27, 2019

The scaphoid, lunate, and triquetrum bones contribute to the formation of the radiocarpal joint.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Another example is the radiocarpal joint of the wrist, between the shallow depression at the distal end of the radius bone and the rounded scaphoid, lunate, and triquetrum carpal bones.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The scaphoid and lunate bones articulate directly with the distal end of the radius, whereas the triquetrum bone articulates with a fibrocartilaginous pad that spans the radius and styloid process of the ulna.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Each wing has a lunate spot surrounded by rings of light yellow, blue, and black.

From The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary Section I, J, K, and L by Project Gutenberg