carpus

noun

car·​pus ˈkär-pəs 

plural carpi ˈkär-ˌpī 

-(ˌ)pē

1

: wrist sense 1

2

: the bones of the wrist

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek karpos — more at wharf

First Known Use

1676, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

carpus

noun

car·​pus ˈkär-pəs 

plural carpi -ˌpī 

-ˌpē

: the wrist or its bones

Medical Definition

carpus

noun

car·​pus ˈkär-pəs 

plural carpi -ˌpī, -ˌpē 

1

: wrist

2

: the group of bones supporting the wrist comprising in humans a proximal row which contains the scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, and pisiform that articulate with the radius and a distal row which contains the trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, and hamate that articulate with the metacarpals