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zygapophysis

[ zig-uh-pof-uh-sis, zahy-guh- ]
/ ˌzɪg əˈpɒf ə sɪs, ˌzaɪ gə- /

noun, plural zyg·a·poph·y·ses [zig-uh-pof-uh-seez, zahy-guh-]. /ˌzɪg əˈpɒf əˌsiz, ˌzaɪ gə-/. Anatomy.

one of the four processes of a vertebra, occurring in pairs that interlock each vertebra with the vertebrae above and below.

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Origin of zygapophysis

First recorded in 1850–55; zyg- + apophysis

OTHER WORDS FROM zygapophysis

zyg·ap·o·phys·e·al, zyg·ap·o·phys·i·al [zig-ap-uh-fiz-ee-uhl, zahy-gap-], /ˌzɪg æp əˈfɪz i əl, ˌzaɪ gæp-/, adjectivepost·zyg·ap·o·phys·e·al, adjectivepost·zyg·ap·o·phys·i·al, adjective

Words nearby zygapophysis

Zwolle, Zworykin, Zyban, zydeco, zygal, zygapophysis, zygo-, zygodactyl, zygodactyly, zygogenesis, zygoma
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for zygapophysis

British Dictionary definitions for zygapophysis

zygapophysis
/ (ˌzɪɡəˈpɒfɪsɪs, ˌzaɪɡə-) /

noun plural -ses (-ˌsiːz)

anatomy zoology one of several processes on a vertebra that articulates with the corresponding process on an adjacent vertebra

Derived forms of zygapophysis

zygapophyseal (ˌzɪɡæpəˈfɪzɪəl), adjective

Word Origin for zygapophysis

C19: from zygo- + apophysis
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