tonsil

[ton-suh l]

noun Anatomy.

a prominent oval mass of lymphoid tissue on each side of the throat.

Origin of tonsil

First recorded in 1595–1605, tonsil is from the Latin word tōnsillae (plural) the tonsils

Related formston·sil·lar, ton·sil·ar, ton·sil·lar·y

[ton-suh-ler-ee] /ˈtɒn səˌlɛr i/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for tonsillar

Historical Examples of tonsillar

This form of tonsillitis is very frequent, and is often confounded with parenchymatous tonsillitis or with tonsillar abscess.
A System of Practical Medicine By American Authors, Vol. II
Various
These groups were selected from one large group, on the basis of presence or absence of tonsillar defect.
Adenoids and Diseased Tonsils
Margaret Cobb Rogers

British Dictionary definitions for tonsillar

tonsil

noun

Also called: palatine tonsil either of two small masses of lymphatic tissue situated one on each side of the back of the mouthRelated adjective: amygdaline

anatomy any small rounded mass of tissue, esp lymphatic tissue

Derived Formstonsillar or tonsillary, adjective

Word Origin for tonsil

C17: from Latin tōnsillae (pl) tonsils, of uncertain origin

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 tonsillar

tonsil

c.1600, from Latin tonsillae (plural) "tonsils," diminutive of toles "goiter," which is perhaps of Gaulish origin.

tonsillar in Medicine

tonsillar

[tŏn′sə-lər]

adj.

Of or relating to a tonsil, especially the palatine tonsil.

tonsil

[tŏn′səl]

n.

A collection of lymphoid tissue.

A small oral mass of lymphoid tissue, especially either of two such masses embedded in the lateral walls of the opening between the mouth and the pharynx, of uncertain function, but believed to help protect the body from respiratory infections.faucial tonsil palatine tonsil