tragus

noun

tra·​gus ˈtrā-gəs 

plural tragi ˈtrā-ˌgī  -ˌjī 

: the prominence in front of the external opening of the outer ear

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Lend Us Your Ear for the History of Tragus

The tragus is the tongue-like projection of the outer ear. Its name comes from the Greek word tragos, meaning "he-goat." According to hearsay, the Greek word was influenced by Peloponnesian tragedy. In this style of drama, satyrs were represented as goatlike creatures, and their prominent ears became associated with a feature of our own human ears. Tragos contributed to the English language in another way as well; it is also the word from which tragedy is derived.

Examples of tragus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Most sutures are beneath the surface of the skin, and minor incisions occur behind the ear (and the tragus cartilage in the ear), as well as below the neck. —Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2024

Still unsure of what a tragus is? —Leah Prinzivalli, Allure, 12 July 2022

Typically, Carillo buffs the Huda Beauty Tantour Contour & Bronzer Cream upwards from the cheekbones to the tragus. —Devon Abelman, Allure, 8 Jan. 2020

The tragus is one of those piercings that has never really died down. —Sophie Saint Thomas, Allure, 15 Dec. 2017

Grab a fan brush and using its flat side, apply color from your tragus (the little nub at the center of your ear) to the corner of your mouth, and blend very well. —Kelsey Stiegman, Seventeen, 18 Mar. 2016

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek tragos, a part of the ear, literally, goat

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined above

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Medical Definition

tragus

noun

tra·​gus ˈtrā-gəs 

plural tragi -ˌgī  -ˌjī 

: a small projection in front of the external opening of the ear