DictionaryRoot: -al
English

-al

connected with

Forms

  • -al

Origin

Borrowed through French and Latin from Latin -alis.

Note

English now adds it to new bases as well as retaining it in inherited borrowings.

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adjective

portal

Relating to the vein that carries blood from digestive organs to the liver.

Etymology

The adjective relates to the porta, the liver’s gateway or entry region. The portal vein is named for carrying blood into the liver through that region.

Full entry

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