cancellous

adjective

can·​cel·​lous kan-ˈse-ləs How to pronounce cancellous (audio) ˈkan(t)-sə-ləs How to pronounce cancellous (audio)
of bone
: having a porous structure

Word History

Etymology

New Latin cancelli intersecting osseous plates and bars in cancellous bone, from Latin, lattice

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cancellous was in 1788

Dictionary Entries Near cancellous

Cite this Entry

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

Medical Definition

cancellous

adjective
can·​cel·​lous kan-ˈsel-əs How to pronounce cancellous (audio) ˈkan(t)-sə-ləs How to pronounce cancellous (audio)
: having a porous structure made up of intersecting plates and bars that form small cavities or cells
cancellous bone
compare compact
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