ossicle

noun

os·​si·​cle ˈä-si-kəl How to pronounce ossicle (audio)
: a small bone or bony structure (such as the malleus, incus, or stapes)
ossicular adjective

Examples of ossicle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In some sense, the emergence of the ossicle may have increased the odds of our being here. Jim Daley, Scientific American, 5 Dec. 2019 Without ossicles, ancient mammals might have been merely dinner for larger predators—or died off from starvation—rather than becoming our distant ancestors. Jim Daley, Scientific American, 5 Dec. 2019 Once your eardrum starts vibrating, the ossicles in your middle ear start vibrating, too. Amber Brenza, SELF, 4 Feb. 2018 The auditory ossicles of the middle ear – the malleus, incus and stapes – are the tiniest bones in the human body. Emily Matchar, Smithsonian, 18 Dec. 2017 The other bore tooth-like protuberances, called ossicles, above speckled reddish black skin. Lorraine Boissoneault, Smithsonian, 4 Nov. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ossicle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin ossiculum, diminutive of oss-, os

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ossicle was in 1578

Dictionary Entries Near ossicle

Cite this Entry

“Ossicle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ossicle. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ossicle

noun
os·​si·​cle ˈäs-i-kəl How to pronounce ossicle (audio)
: a small bone or bony structure (as one of the three small bones of the middle ear)
Etymology

Latin, literally, "small bone"

Medical Definition

ossicle

noun
os·​si·​cle ˈäs-i-kəl How to pronounce ossicle (audio)
: a small bone or bony structure
especially : any of three small bones of the middle ear including the malleus, incus, and stapes
ossicular adjective

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