uncus

noun

un·cus ˈəŋ-kəs

plural unci ˈəŋ-ˌkī

-ˌkē;

ˈən-ˌsī

: a hooked anatomical part or process

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, hook — more at angle

First Known Use

circa 1826, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of uncus was circa 1826

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Uncus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uncus. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Medical Definition

uncus

noun

un·cus ˈəŋ-kəs

plural unci ˈən-ˌsī

: a hooked anatomical part or process

specifically : the anterior curved end of the parahippocampal gyrus

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

uncus

noun

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Medical Definition

More from Merriam-Webster on uncus

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

perfunctory

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes