trochanter
Americannoun
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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.
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Zoology. any similar prominence on the femur in many other vertebrates.
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Entomology. (in an insect) the usually small second segment of the leg, between the coxa and femur.
noun
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any of several processes on the upper part of the vertebrate femur, to which muscles are attached
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the third segment of an insect's leg
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of trochanter
1605–15; < New Latin < Greek trochantḗr ball on which the hip bone turns in its socket
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The gear teeth on one trochanter engaged with and sequentially moved past those on the other trochanter during the preparatory cocking and the propulsive phases of jumping.
From Science Magazine ● Sep. 12, 2013
Thus, a child’s radiograph that shows the presence of the lesser trochanter epiphyseal plate indicates an approximate age of 10 years.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013
The greater trochanter can be felt just under the skin on the lateral side of your upper thigh.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013
At its proximal end, the posterior shaft has the gluteal tuberosity, a roughened area extending inferiorly from the greater trochanter.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013
The articular surface is directed backward, while the trochanter looks forward.
From Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities—Head—Neck. Sixth Edition. by Miles, Alexander
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
