otic

¹ American  

[oh-tik, ot-ik] / ˈoʊ tɪk, ˈɒt ɪk /

adjective

Anatomy.

1. of or relating to the ear; auricular.

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-otic ² American  

1. an adjective suffix of Greek origin, often corresponding to nouns ending in -osis, denoting a relationship to an action, process, state, or condition indicated by the preceding element: hypnotic; neurotic .

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-otic ¹ British  

suffix

1. relating to or affected by

   sclerotic

2. causing

   narcotic

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otic ² British  

/ ˈɒtɪk, ˈəʊtɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to the ear

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Other Word Forms

• preotic adjective

Etymology

Origin of otic¹

From the Greek word ōtikós, dating back to 1650–60. See ot-, -ic

Origin of -otic²

From the Greek suffix -ōtikos

Example Sentences

The inner ear, which processes sound, is protected by one of the densest bones in the body, the otic capsule, making it difficult to visualize its tiny structures with conventional imaging.

From Scientific American • Aug. 1, 2018

FB, forebrain; FP, floor plate; H, heart; HB, hindbrain; L, lens; M, melanocytes; MB, midbrain; O, otic vesicle; SC, spinal cord.

From Nature • Dec. 13, 2016

FB, forebrain; FP, floor plate; H, heart; HB, hindbrain; L, lens; M, melanocytes; MB, midbrain; O, otic vesicle; SC, spinal cord.

From Nature • Dec. 13, 2016

The parasympathetic fibers of the glossopharyngeal nerve synapse in the otic ganglion, which projects to the parotid gland.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

One of the main commodities returned on those voyages of centuries ago were travelers’ tales,* stories of alien lands and ex otic creatures that evoked our sense of wonder and stimulated future exploration.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

Related Words

• audible
• aural