scapular

1 of 2

noun

scap·​u·​lar ˈska-pyə-lər 

1

a

: a long wide band of cloth with an opening for the head worn front and back over the shoulders as part of a monastic habit

b

: a pair of small cloth squares joined by shoulder tapes and worn under the clothing on the breast and back as a sacramental and often also as a badge of a third order or confraternity

2

a

: scapula

b

: one of the feathers covering the base of a bird's wing see bird illustration

scapular

2 of 2

adjective

: of or relating to the shoulder, the scapula, or scapulars

Examples of scapular in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Archaeologists also identified preserved wooden coffins, wooden crosses and scraps of silk scapulars, which are necklace-like devotional objects. —Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2024

My mother was a hard-shell peasant Catholic who had never read the Bible but believed fervently in rituals, icons, beads, scapulars, and above all the spiritual benefits of hardship. —Lucy Sante, The New Yorker, 11 Nov. 2023

Adjective

Standing Scapular Retraction Standing scapular retraction requires the following movements: Start by standing with your feet apart. —Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 1 July 2024

Face Pull 3 to 4 sets of 10 to 15 reps Men's Health Two movements that everyone needs to train for better shoulder health include external rotation (turning the hand away from the body) and scapular retraction (pulling the shoulder blades together). —Cori Ritchey, Men's Health, 11 Aug. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English scapulare, from Late Latin, from Latin scapula shoulder

Adjective

New Latin scapularis, from scapula

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1713, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing scapular

• scapular medal

Kids Definition

scapular

noun

scap·​u·​lar

ˈskap-yə-lər

1

: a long wide band of cloth with an opening for the head worn front and back over the shoulders by monks

2

: a pair of small cloth squares joined by shoulder tapes and worn under the clothing on the breast and back especially for religious purposes

Medical Definition

scapular

adjective

scap·​u·​lar ˈskap-yə-lər 

: of, relating to, or affecting the shoulder or scapula

a scapular fracture