appendage

noun ap·pend·age \ ə-ˈpen-dij \

|Updated on: 14 Aug 2018

Editor's Note: The Root of appendage

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

Christopher Chiappa’s three lacquered sculptures are 3-D drawings, their solid colors and squiggly appendages appearing to have leaped right out of Hockney’s still lifes.

— david pagel, latimes.com, "Nazarian show mixes Hockney and Kelley with lesser-knowns, to splendid effect," 13 June 2018
The physical homogeneity of its cars and lack of complex aerodynamic appendages like wings, dive planes, and barge boards lend themselves to scrutineering via this method.

— jonathan m. gitlin, Ars Technica, "NASCAR’s high-tech world: Leave any preconceptions behind for this deep-dive," 31 May 2018
An armature can be made of metal, wood, or anything that will support the weight of an appendage.

— lisa deaderick, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Carving out social and political commentary in bronze," 27 May 2018
Some 370 million years ago cladoxylopsid trees stood at least eight meters tall, capped by branches with twiggy appendages instead of leaves.

— daisy yuhas, Scientific American, "Ancient Tree Structure Is Like a Forest unto Itself," 1 Jan. 2018
His left hand was amputated at age 4, the result of a congenital condition called amniotic band syndrome, which had stunted the development of the appendage and caused excruciating pain.

— jenny vrentas, SI.com, "Shaquem Griffin’s NFL Story Begins Now," 29 Apr. 2018
By 1922 FoPS would become, for all political purposes, a Klan appendage, with the Exalted Cyclops as its president.

— Longreads, "Oregon’s Racist Past," 12 July 2018
Suddenly, one bacterium shoots out a long appendage, latches onto a DNA fragment and reels in its catch.

— New York Times, "Using Harpoon-Like Appendages, Bacteria ‘Fish’ for New DNA," 14 June 2018
Science Mantis shrimp have a pair of hammer appendages that pack a powerful punch.

— matt simon, WIRED, "'Ninjabot' Reveals the Mantis Shrimp's Wily Snail-Hunting Scheme," 14 June 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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appendage Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Near Antonyms

essential, necessity, requirement, requisite;

auxiliary, subsidiary;

amenity, doodad, extra, filler, frill, incidental, luxury, nonessential, nonnecessity;

appurtenances, bells and whistles, equipment, furnishings, paraphernalia, trappings;

adornment, decoration, embellishment, enhancement, ornament, trim, trimming;

Other Anatomy Terms

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

APPENDAGE Defined for English Language Learners

appendage

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