appendage

ap·pend·age

noun \ə-ˈpen-dij\

Definition of APPENDAGE

1

: an adjunct to something larger or more important : appurtenance

2

: a usually projecting part of an animal or plant body that is typically smaller and of less functional importance than the main part to which it is attached; especially : a limb or analogous part (as a seta)

3

[appendant] : a dependent or subordinate person

Examples of APPENDAGE

1. The court system acts as an appendage to the government.
2. an appendage of a larger political party

First Known Use of APPENDAGE

1647

Related to APPENDAGE

Synonyms

accoutrement (or accouterment), adapter (also adaptor), add-on, adjunct, accessory, appliance, attachment, option

Related Words

accompaniment, additive, complement, supplement; auxiliary, subsidiary; amenity, doodad, embroidery, extra, filler, frill, incidental, luxury, nonessential, nonnecessity; appurtenances, bells and whistles, equipment, furnishings, habiliment(s), paraphernalia, trappings; adornment, decoration, embellishment, enhancement, garnish, ornament, trim, trimming

Near Antonyms

essential, necessity, requirement, requisite

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

ap·pend·age

noun \ə-ˈpen-dij\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of APPENDAGE

: a subordinate or derivative body part; especially : a limb or analogous part (as a seta)