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.
It was chosen because this animal’s femur lacks a crest or raised bony protrusion – known as a trochanter – where part of the tail musculature would attach.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 10, 2026
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
A single, powerful muscle attaches to the lesser trochanter.
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
Using its trochanter as a plectrum, this insect makes weird music, which can be heard at a considerable distance.
From Lodges in the Wilderness by W. C. (William Charles) Scully
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