CAPITATE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does capitate mean? 

• CAPITATE (noun)
  The noun CAPITATE has 1 sense:

1. the wrist bone with a rounded head shape that articulates with the 3rd metacarpus

  Familiarity information: CAPITATE used as a noun is very rare.

• CAPITATE (adjective)
  The adjective CAPITATE has 1 sense:

1. being abruptly enlarged and globose at the tip

  Familiarity information: CAPITATE used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CAPITATE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The wrist bone with a rounded head shape that articulates with the 3rd metacarpus

Classified under:

Nouns denoting body parts

Synonyms:

capitate; capitate bone; os capitatum

Hypernyms ("capitate" is a kind of...):

carpal; carpal bone; wrist bone (any of the eight small bones of the wrist of primates)

Derivation:

capitate (being abruptly enlarged and globose at the tip)

• CAPITATE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Being abruptly enlarged and globose at the tip

Similar:

circular; round (having the shape or form of a circle)

Domain category:

biological science; biology (the science that studies living organisms)

Derivation:

capitate (the wrist bone with a rounded head shape that articulates with the 3rd metacarpus)

 Context examples 

A plane joint between the third metacarpal and the capitate.

(Carpometacarpal Joint 3, NCI Thesaurus)

A plane joint primarily between the second metacarpal and the trapezoid, which also connects with the trapezium and capitate.

(Carpometacarpal Joint 2, NCI Thesaurus)

The eight bones of the wrist: capitate bone, hamate bone, lunate bone (SEMILUNAR BONE), pisiform bone, SCAPHOID BONE, trapezium bone, trapezoid bone and triquetral bone.

(Carpal Bone, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)