Cartilaginean

/kɑrˌtɪlədʒɪˈniːən/ adjective

Definition

Relating to or composed of cartilage; having the qualities or characteristics of cartilage.

Etymology

From Latin 'cartilago' (cartilage) + the suffix '-ean' meaning relating to or having the nature of.

Kelly Says

This is an extremely technical anatomical term you'd find in old medical texts—modern doctors simply say 'cartilaginous,' but cartilaginean shows how English built multiple terms for the same concept during the Renaissance when anatomy was being formally described.

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