Definition of 'epiphysis'

Word Frequency

epiphysis in British

(ɪˈpɪfɪsɪs )

noun plural -ses (-ˌsiːz)

the end of a long bone, initially separated from the shaft (diaphysis) by a section of cartilage that eventually ossifies so that the two portions fuse together

2. Also called: epiphysis cerebri (ˈsɛrɪˌbraɪ ) the technical name for pineal gland

Derived forms

epiphyseal or epiphysial (ˌɛpɪˈfɪzɪəl )

adjective

Word origin of 'epiphysis'

C17: via New Latin from Greek: a growth upon, from epi- + phusis growth, from phuein to bring forth, produce

Word Frequency

(iˈpɪfəsɪs ; ēpifˈəsis)

nounWord forms: plural eˈpiphyˌses (iˈpɪfəˌsiz ; ēpifˈəsēzˌ)

the end part of a long bone which is at first separated from the main part by cartilage, but later fuses with it by ossification

the pineal body

: in full epiphysis cerebri (ˈsɛrəˌbraɪ ; serˈəbrīˌ)

Derived forms

epiphyseal (ˌepiˈphyseal)

adjective or epiphysial (ˌɛpəˈfɪziəl ; epˌəfizˈēəl)

Word origin of 'epiphysis'

ModL < Gr epiphysis, a growth upon, excrescence < epiphyein, to grow upon < epi-, upon + phyein, to grow: see bondage

Used Occasionally. epiphysis is one of the 30000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

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Definition of epiphysis from the Collins English Dictionary

Irregular verbs