Word Study
Ossicle
CIDE DICTIONARY
Ossicle, n. [L. ossiculum, dim. of os, ossis, a bone.].
- A little bone; as, the auditory ossicles in the tympanum of the ear. [1913 Webster]
- One of numerous small calcareous structures forming the skeleton of certain echinoderms, as the starfishes. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
Ossicle, n.
1 Anat. any small bone, esp. of the middle ear.
2 a small piece of bonelike substance.
1 Anat. any small bone, esp. of the middle ear.
2 a small piece of bonelike substance.
Etymology
L ossiculum dimin. (as OSSEOUS)
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