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talus
1[ tey-luhs ]
/ ˈteɪ ləs /
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noun, plural ta·li [tey-lahy]. /ˈteɪ laɪ/. Anatomy.
the uppermost bone of the proximal row of bones of the tarsus; anklebone.
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Origin of talus
1Words nearby talus
Other definitions for talus (2 of 2)
talus2
[ tey-luhs, tal-uhs ]
/ ˈteɪ ləs, ˈtæl əs /
noun, plural ta·lus·es.
a slope.
Geology. a sloping mass of rocky fragments at the base of a cliff.
Fortification. the slope of the face of a work.
Origin of talus
21635–45; <French: pseudo-learned alteration of Old French talu slope <Latin talūtium gold-bearing slope or talus (Vulgar Latin: slope), perhaps of Iberian origin
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use talus in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for talus (1 of 2)
talus1
/ (ˈteɪləs) /
noun plural -li (-laɪ)
the bone of the ankle that articulates with the leg bones to form the ankle jointNontechnical name: anklebone
Word Origin for talus
C18: from Latin: ankle
British Dictionary definitions for talus (2 of 2)
talus2
/ (ˈteɪləs) /
noun plural -luses
geology another name for scree
fortifications the sloping side of a wall
Word Origin for talus
C17: from French, from Latin talūtium slope, perhaps of Iberian origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Scientific definitions for talus (1 of 2)
talus1
[ tā′ləs ]
Plural tali (tā′lī′)
The bone of the ankle that articulates with the tibia and fibula to form the ankle joint.
Scientific definitions for talus (2 of 2)
talus2
[ tā′ləs ]
Plural taluses
Rock fragments that have accumulated at the base of a cliff or slope.♦ The concave slope formed by such an accumulation of rock fragments is called a talus slope.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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