soleus

[soh-lee-uh s]

noun, plural so·le·i

[soh-lee-ahy] /ˈsoʊ liˌaɪ/, so·le·us·es.

a muscle in the calf of the leg, behind the gastrocnemius muscle, that helps extend the foot forward.

Origin of soleus

1670–80; < New Latin, masculine derivative of Latin solea sandal; see sole²

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

Word Origin and History for solei

soleus

n.

muscle of the calf of the leg, 1670s, Modern Latin, from Latin solea "sole" (see sole (n.1)). So called for its flatness.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper