thalamus

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: thal=a=mus

CIDE DICTIONARY

thalamus, n. [L. thalamus chamber, Gr. qa`lamos.].

•  A mass of nervous matter on either side of the third ventricle of the brain; -- called also optic thalamus.  [1913 Webster]
•  Same as Thallus.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

thalamus, n. (pl. thalami)
1 Anat. either of two masses of grey matter in the forebrain, serving as relay stations for sensory tracts.
2 Bot. the receptacle of a flower.
3 Gk Antiq. an inner room or women's apartment.

Derivative

thalamic adj. (in senses 1 and 2).

Etymology

L f. Gk thalamos