rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryRoot: -aris
Latin

-aris

connected with

Forms

  • -aris
  • -ar — The ending shortened in later borrowings.

Origin

A Latin variant of -alis, often favored when an l was already nearby.

Note

The change helped avoid repeating similar sounds in the same word.

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adjective

articular

ar-TIK-yuh-ler/ɑrtˈɪkjʌlˌɝ/

Relating to joints where bones meet.

Smooth articular cartilage covers the bone ends in this healthy knee.

An isolated anatomical cutaway of a healthy knee joint, emphasizing the smooth articular cartilage covering the opposing ends of the femur and tibia.
Etymology
articulLatinjoint
+arLatinconnected with

Here articulus keeps its concrete anatomical meaning: a joint where bones meet. The adjective directly describes things belonging to or involving that junction.

In context

Nuttall's Biology3:23
the articular surface where the joint is formed between superior and inferior articular processes
Axial Skeleton Part 3

More examples

  • The surgeon repairs the damaged articular cartilage.
  • The fracture reaches the articular surface of the elbow.
  • The report describes articular changes caused by arthritis.

Forms

articular

articulation noun — A joint or connection between bones.

Similar words

joint
Joint is the everyday modifier; articular is used in anatomy.