protrusion

American  

[proh-troo-zhuhn, pruh-] / proʊˈtru ʒən, prə- /

noun

1. the act of protruding or the state of being protruded.

2. something that protrudes or projects.

   Synonyms:

   protuberance, bulge, projection, jut

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protrusion British  

/ prəˈtruːʒən /

noun

1. something that protrudes

2. the state or condition of being protruded

3. the act or process of protruding

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Other Word Forms

• nonprotrusion
  noun

Etymology

Origin of protrusion

1640–50; < Latin prōtrūs ( us ) (past participle of prōtrūdere to protrude ) + -ion

Explanation

Anything that sticks or juts out from a surface is a protrusion. When you're rock climbing, every protrusion is a possible handle to grab or step to stand on. In medicine, most protrusions are evidence of some disorder or illness, like a bulging protrusion in your belly. Most other protrusions, though, are perfectly normal: your nose is a protrusion in the middle of your face, and a spire can be described as a protrusion on the top of a church. The Latin source of protrusion is protrudere, "to push out."

Example Sentences

“But,” said the Spectator, “you said in your famous speech before the Society for the Prevention of the Protrusion of Nail Heads from Plank Sidewalks that Kings were blood-smeared oppressors and hell-bound loafers.”

From Fantastic Fables by Bierce, Ambrose

What are the most frequent causes of Protrusion of the lower-bowel?

From Advice to a Mother on the Management of Her Children by Chavasse, Pye Henry

Surprise, astonishment—Elevation of the eyebrows—Opening the mouth— Protrusion of the lips—Gestures accompanying surprise— Admiration Fear—Terror—Erection of the hair—Contraction of the platysma muscle—Dilatation of the pupils—horror—Conclusion.

From The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals by Darwin, Charles

Protrusion of the rectum is also sometimes a consequence of gross feeding, starting up piles in the first instance, and then, from more intense digestive derangement, causing purgation, accompanied with violent straining.

From The Dog by Dinks

Surprise, astonishment—Elevation of the eyebrows—Opening the mouth— Protrusion of the lips—Gestures accompanying surprise— Admiration—Fear—Terror—Erection of the hair—Contraction of the platysma muscle—Dilatation of the pupils—Horror—Conclusion.

From The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals by Darwin, Charles