pastern

[ pas-tern ]

noun

the part of the foot of a horse, cow, etc., between the fetlock and the hoof.
either of the two bones of this part, the upper or first phalanx (great pastern bone, orfetter bone ) and the lower or second phalanx (small pastern bone ), between which is a joint (pastern joint ).

Origin of pastern

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English pastron “shackle,” probably same word as Middle French pasturon, pastern, from unattested Vulgar Latin pastōria “herding” + Middle French -on noun suffix; see pastor, -ia

Words Nearby pastern

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use pastern in a sentence

pastern, pas′tėrn, n. the part of a horse's foot from the fetlock to the hoof, where the shackle is fastened.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) | Various
The pastern joints above his striped hoofs were resilient as pliant springs.
Tharon of Lost Valley | Vingie E. Roe
Because of the pastern being horizontal, and aiding in the downward pressure, its change of form cannot be upwards.
Diseases of the Horse's Foot | Harry Caulton Reeks
The operation does nothing to impede the work of healing going on, and allows free movement of the foot and pastern to take place.
Diseases of the Horse's Foot | Harry Caulton Reeks
There was considerable swelling from the knee downwards, great pain, and evidence of fracture in the region of the pastern.
Diseases of the Horse's Foot | Harry Caulton Reeks

British Dictionary definitions for pastern

pastern

/ (ˈpæstən) /

noun

the part of a horse's foot between the fetlock and the hoof
Also called: fetter bone either of the two bones that constitute this part

Origin of pastern

C14: from Old French pasturon, from pasture a hobble, from Latin pāstōrius of a shepherd, from pastor

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

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