scapular

[skap-yuh-ler]

adjective

of or relating to the shoulders or the scapula or scapulae.

Origin of scapular

From the New Latin word scapulāris, dating back to 1680–90. See scapula, -ar¹

scapular

[skap-yuh-ler]

noun

Ecclesiastical. a loose, sleeveless monastic garment, hanging from the shoulders.
two small pieces of woolen cloth, joined by strings passing over the shoulders, worn under the ordinary clothing as a badge of affiliation with a religious order, a token of devotion, etc.
Anatomy, Zoology. scapula.
Ornithology. one of the scapular feathers.

Origin of scapular

1475–85; < Medieval Latin scapulāre, noun use of neuter of scapulāris (adj.). See scapular¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for scapular

Historical Examples of scapular

He hated the crucifix, he hated the scapular, he hated the priests.
Shapes that Haunt the Dusk
Various
Other Sisters wear a scapular with shoulder-straps, over a white cape.
The Heritage of Dress
Wilfred Mark Webb
It was you, then, who took the scapular from me at the embassy?
Ashton Kirk, Secret Agent
John T. McIntyre
There exists, therefore, in an independent form, the scapular portion only.
Artistic Anatomy of Animals
douard Cuyer
Thus the clavicular arch is placed in front of the scapular arch.
Dragons of the Air
H. G. Seeley

British Dictionary definitions for scapular

scapular

adjective

anatomy of or relating to the scapula

noun

part of the monastic habit worn by members of many Christian, esp Roman Catholic, religious orders, consisting of a piece of woollen cloth worn over the shoulders, and hanging down in front and behind to the ankles
two small rectangular pieces of woollen cloth joined by tapes passing over the shoulders and worn under secular clothes in token of affiliation to a religious order
any of the small feathers that are attached to the humerus of a bird and lie along the shoulder

Also called (for senses 2, 3): scapulary

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

Word Origin and History for scapular

adj.

1680s, "pertaining to the scapula," from Modern Latin scapularis, from Latin scapula "shoulder" (see scapula). The noun (late 15c., also in Old English) in reference to a short cloak for the shoulders prescribed for certain monks, is from Medieval Latin scapulare, from scapula. Related: Scapulary.

scapular in Medicine

scapular

[skăp′yə-lər]

adj.

Of or relating to the shoulder or scapula.