Coaptate

/koʊˈæpteɪt/ verb

Definition

To bring or place parts in close contact so they fit together properly, used especially in anatomy and surgery.

Etymology

From co- + Latin aptatus (fitted together), a variant form of coapt used in medical Latin. Both forms developed in Renaissance medical texts.

Kelly Says

This is basically the fancy medical version of 'fit together perfectly'—doctors use it to describe how skin edges must coaptate after surgery for the best healing.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.