rhizoverbBeta
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.

6 / 291
adjective / noun

adrenal

uh-DREE-nul/ʌdrˈinʌl/

A hormone-producing gland above a kidney, or relating to it or its hormones.

An adrenal gland sits above each kidney in the diagram.

An isolated anatomical illustration of the two kidneys with their adrenal glands visibly perched above them.
Etymology
adLatinto, toward; addition; sometimes emphasis
+renLatinkidney
+alLatinof, relating to

The pieces describe something near the kidneys. The adjective identifies the hormone-producing glands by their position above the kidneys, rather than by what they secrete.

In context

Dr. Adam Barron MD5:01
Your adrenal glands help maintain blood pressure and sodium balance through hormones like cortisol
LIGHTHEADED or DIZZY, 10 Reasons– Doctor Explains

More examples

  • The study examined adrenal hormone production.
  • The doctor reviewed a scan of the adrenals.
  • The lecture described the adrenal cortex.

Forms

adrenal · adrenals

Similar words

pituitary
The pituitary is a different hormone-producing gland, located beneath the brain.