involucrum

noun

in·​vo·​lu·​crum ˌin-və-ˈlü-krəm How to pronounce involucrum (audio)
plural involucra ˌin-və-ˈlü-krə How to pronounce involucrum (audio)
: a surrounding envelope or sheath

Examples of involucrum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Its jaws and teeth were similar to those of early whales, but the best evidence was the presence of a thickened knob of bone in its middle ear, called an involucrum. Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 7 May 2010

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin involūcrum, going back to Latin, "wrapper, cover, envelope," from involū-, variant stem of involvere "to move by rolling, roll back on itself, enclose in a covering, wrap up" + -crum, variant of -culum, instrumental suffix (going back to Indo-European *-tlom) before a preceding l — more at involve

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of involucrum was in 1657

Dictionary Entries Near involucrum

Cite this Entry

“Involucrum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/involucrum. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

involucrum

noun
in·​vo·​lu·​crum ˌin-və-ˈlü-krəm How to pronounce involucrum (audio)
plural involucra -krə How to pronounce involucrum (audio)
: a formation of new bone about a sequestrum (as in osteomyelitis)
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