appendage

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noun ap·pend·age \ ə-ˈpen-dij \

Updated on: 9 Aug 2017

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 (such as a seta)

[appendant]

:a dependent or subordinate person

See appendage defined for English-language learners

See appendage defined for kids

Examples of appendage in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of appendage from the Web

And for the guy directly in front of me, that appendage definitely wasn’t dangling in a few instances.

— julia sullivan, SELF, "I Tried 9 Unique Workout Classes to Try to Break Out of My Fitness Rut," 25 Aug. 2017
In the case of mussels, the animal uses an appendage (called its foot) that extends from its shell to create a web of fibers one-by-one.

— john timmer, Ars Technica, "New surface is so slippery, shellfish can’t get a grip," 19 Aug. 2017
In testing, Asian green mussels (Perna viridis) poked their tacky appendages out at the surface—but couldn’t grab hold.

— andrew wagner, Science | AAAS, "Watch this new polymer defeat some supersticky sea creatures," 17 Aug. 2017
But what’s most alarming about this Satanic vegetable are the strange appendages attached to his arms.

— joan niesen, SI.com, "The Top 10 Mascots in College Football, Ranked by Someone Terrified of Mascots," 3 Aug. 2017
The appendages don’t seem connected to the motor — whatever that is — driving this thing.

— Washington Post, "Sam Shepard, dead at age 73, was a new kind of artist," 1 Aug. 2017
The appendages don't seem connected to the motor — whatever that is — driving this thing.

— Bloomberg.com, "Sam Shepard, Pulitzer-Winning Playwright, Dies at 73," 31 July 2017
And trust me on this, finding a somewhat appropriate dress that could pass muster while covering up my wobbly appendages was, well, not easy.

— donna freydkin, Allure, "The #DiaARMY Campaign Encourages Plus-Size Women to Show Off Their Upper Arms," 24 July 2017
Then use this insight to approach her from now on not as a rude familial appendage, but as your equal in the struggle to be understood and appreciated.

— carolyn hax, The Seattle Times, "It’s OK to be the ‘Bad Guy’ Sometimes," 12 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'appendage.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

The Root of appendage

Appendix isn't the only noun that comes from append. Unlike appendix, appendage doesn't suggest the end of something, but simply something attached. The word is often used in biology to refer to parts of an animal's body: an insect's antennae, mouthparts, or wings, for example. The appendages of some animals will grow back after they've been removed; a salamander, for example, can regrow a finger, and the tiny sea squirt can regrow all its appendages—and even its brain.

First Known Use of appendage

1647

appendage Synonyms

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

APPENDAGE Defined for English Language Learners

appendage

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noun

Definition of appendage for English Language Learners

medical : a body part (such as an arm or a leg) connected to the main part of the body
: something connected or joined to a larger or more important thing

APPENDAGE Defined for Kids

appendage

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noun ap·pend·age \ ə-ˈpen-dij \

Definition of appendage for Students

:something (as a leg) attached to a larger or more important thing

Medical Dictionary

appendage

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noun ap·pend·age \ ə-ˈpen-dij \

medical Definition of appendage

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

Learn More about appendage

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for appendage Spanish Central: Translation of appendage Nglish: Translation of appendage for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of appendage for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about appendage

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Examples of appendage in a Sentence

Recent Examples of appendage from the Web

The Root of appendage

First Known Use of appendage

appendage Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Other Anatomy Terms

APPENDAGE Defined for English Language Learners

appendage

Definition of appendage for English Language Learners

APPENDAGE Defined for Kids

appendage

Definition of appendage for Students

Medical Dictionary

appendage

medical Definition of appendage

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