DictionaryRoot: -alis
Latin

-alis

of, relating to

Forms

  • -alis
  • -aris — Latin variant especially used when the stem already contained l, avoiding a repeated l sound.
  • -al — English ending borrowed through French or directly from Latin.
  • -ar — English ending continuing Latin -aris.

Origin

An older Latin adjective-forming suffix; its more remote ancestry is uncertain.

Note

Expresses a relationship without specifying its kind: material, place, purpose, and other connections are possible.

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adjective

cervical

Relating to the lower, narrow part of the uterus.

The clinician explains the purpose of the patient's cervical screening.

Etymology

Latin cervix means neck. The uterus has a narrow neck-like lower part, and cervical applies the same shape-based anatomical term to that region.

In context

TED8:16
Stage III cervical cancer, so, metastatic cancer that started in her cervix, spread throughout her body.
What we can do to die well | Timothy Ihrig

More examples

  • The sample contains cervical cells.
  • The examination records changes in cervical tissue.
  • The diagram identifies the cervical opening below the uterus.

Similar words

uterine
Relates to the uterus as a whole.
vaginal
Relates to a different part of the reproductive tract.