trochanter

[ troh-kan-ter ]

noun

1. Anatomy. either of two knobs at the top of the femur, the greater on the outside and the lesser on the inside, serving for the attachment of muscles between the thigh and pelvis.
2. Zoology. any similar prominence on the femur in many other vertebrates.
3. Entomology. (in an insect) the usually small second segment of the leg, between the coxa and femur.

trochanter

/ trəʊˈkæntə /

noun

1. any of several processes on the upper part of the vertebrate femur, to which muscles are attached
2. the third segment of an insect's leg

Other Words From

• tro·chan·ter·ic [troh-k, uh, n-, ter, -ik], tro·chanter·al adjective
• subtro·chan·teric adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of trochanter¹

1605–15; < New Latin < Greek trochantḗr ball on which the hip bone turns in its socket

Word History and Origins

Origin of trochanter¹

C17: via French from Greek trokhantēr , from trekhein to run

Example Sentences

The first of these is called the 'coxa', and is succeeded by a short joint called the 'trochanter'.

From Project Gutenberg

The internal trochanter was also fractured in four small pieces.

From Project Gutenberg

Coxa, smooth; trochanter with large protuberance ending in a heavy spine on the outer edge.

From Project Gutenberg

The trochanter, femur and tibia are covered with stout simple hairs of varying length.

From Project Gutenberg

It is noteworthy, however, that this genus retains the third trochanter to the femur, which is lost in Nimravus.

From Project Gutenberg