ventricose

[ ven-tri-kohs ]

adjective

swollen, especially on one side or unequally; protuberant.
having a large abdomen.

Origin of ventricose

From the New Latin word ventricōsus, dating back to 1750–60. See venter, -ic, -ose¹

Other words from ventricose

ven·tri·cos·i·ty [ven-tri-kos-i-tee], /ˌvɛn trɪˈkɒs ɪ ti/, noun
sub·ven·tri·cose, adjective

Words Nearby ventricose

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use ventricose in a sentence

From the same locality as the last, and like it unusually ventricose.
Summary Narrative of an Exploratory Expedition to the Sources of the Mississippi River, in 1820 | Henry Rowe Schoolcraft
When one extremity of the shell is attenuated, and the other becomes suddenly ventricose or globular, it is said to be Clavate.
A Conchological Manual | George Brettingham Sowerby
Some species of Voluta, of a more elongated shape than the rest, present a near approach to the most ventricose of the Mitr.
A Conchological Manual | George Brettingham Sowerby
Straight, chambered, elongated; chambers more or less ventricose; septa perforated by a central siphon.
A Conchological Manual | George Brettingham Sowerby
Leaves decurrent at the folds, the lower lobe incurved and ventricose; underleaves usually present, entire or bifid.
The Manual of the Botany of the Northern United States | Asa Gray

British Dictionary definitions for ventricose

ventricose

/ (ˈvɛntrɪˌkəʊs) /

adjective

botany zoology anatomy having a swelling on one side; unequally inflated: the ventricose corolla of many labiate plants
another word for corpulent

Origin of ventricose

C18: from New Latin ventricōsus, from Latin venter belly

Derived forms of ventricose

ventricosity (ˌvɛntrɪˈkɒsɪtɪ), noun

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

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