apical

adjective

api·​cal ˈā-pi-kəl How to pronounce apical (audio)
also
ˈa-pi- How to pronounce apical (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or situated at an apex
2
: of, relating to, or formed with the tip of the tongue
n, l, and r are apical consonants
apically
ˈā-pi-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce apical (audio)
 also  ˈa-pi-
adverb

Examples of apical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web All the fractured parts in each group were bonded to their relevant apical parts by an etch and rinse bonding system and a flowable composite resin. Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 2 Dec. 2013 Meanwhile, the opposite was happening in the apical dendrites: The difference in their response to unexpected stimuli increased over time. Quanta Magazine, 15 Nov. 2021 Our dexterous thumb and fingers, with their unique proportions and opposability, place the world at our pulpy fingertips—along with millions of microbes collected by our noteworthy nails and fleshy apical pads. Sabrina Sholts, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Mar. 2021 The trunk reaches up and branches into what are called apical dendrites. Quanta Magazine, 18 Feb. 2021 The key is in the separation of the signals entering the neuron for forward-going inference and for backward-flowing errors, which could be handled in the model by the basal and apical dendrites, respectively. Quanta Magazine, 18 Feb. 2021 This time of year, the pines are candled (metsumi), a process in which the apical shoots that stand up at the end of the branches like candles are snipped off to control the direction of new growth. Heather Arndt Anderson, Sunset Magazine, 6 Aug. 2020 In early-stage embryos of both groups, a structure called the apical ectodermal ridge (AER) acts as a signaling center that guides development of the fin and limb, respectively. John A. Long, Scientific American, 20 May 2020 This condition may also be called takotsubo cardiomyopathy, apical ballooning syndrome or stress cardiomyopathy. Mayo Clinic News Network (tns), The Seattle Times, 4 Feb. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'apical.' 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

probably from New Latin apicalis, from Latin apic-, apex

First Known Use

1806, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of apical was in 1806

Dictionary Entries Near apical

Cite this Entry

“Apical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apical. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

apical

adjective
api·​cal
ˈā-pi-kəl also ˈap-i-
: of, relating to, or situated at an apex
apically adverb

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