obturate
[ob-tuh-reyt, -tyuh-]
- to stop up; close.
- Ordnance. to close (a hole or cavity) so as to prevent a flow of gas through it, especially the escape of explosive gas from a gun tube during firing.
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Origin of obturate
1550–60; < Latin obtūrātus, past participle of obtūrāre to block, stop up
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for obturator
Historical Examples
Variations in the obturator nerve were considered to be insignificant.
Variation in the Muscles and Nerves of the Leg inE. Bruce Holmes
The obturator foramen is a small oval opening posteroventral to the acetabulum between the ischium and the pubis.
Variation in the Muscles and Nerves of the Leg inE. Bruce Holmes
The obturator ridge is a short, blunt, longitudinal ridge forming the posterior edge of the trochanter.
Variation in the Muscles and Nerves of the Leg inE. Bruce Holmes
The posterolateral intermuscular line is a slight ridge extending distally from the obturator ridge.
Variation in the Muscles and Nerves of the Leg inE. Bruce Holmes
Gadow divides the obturator complex into two muscles (or muscle groups), which he terms M. obturator and Mm.
Variation in the Muscles and Nerves of the Leg inE. Bruce Holmes
obturate
- (tr) to stop up (an opening, esp the breech of a gun)
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Word Origin
C17: from Latin obtūrāre to block up, of obscure origin
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
obturator
(ŏb′tə-rā′tər)- A structure, such as the soft palate, that closes an opening in the body.
- A prosthetic device that serves to close an opening or cleft, especially in the palate.
- A stylus or removable plug used during the insertion of many tubular instruments.
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obturate
(ŏb′tə-rāt′)- To close or obstruct.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.