How Do You Spell ENSIFORM?

Pronunciation: [ɛnsˈɪfɔːm] (IPA)

The word "ensiform" is spelled with the letters e-n-s-i-f-o-r-m. It is derived from the Latin word "ensis," meaning sword, and is used to describe a blade-shaped object or structure. The pronunciation of "ensiform" is /ɛnˈsaɪfɔːrm/, with the emphasis on the first syllable. This can be broken down into individual sounds, including the short "e" sound, the "n" sound, the "s" sound, the long "i" sound, the "f" sound, the long "o" sound, the "r" sound, and the "m" sound.

ENSIFORM Meaning and Definition

1. "Ensiform" is an adjective used to describe something that is shaped like a sword or resembles the blade of a sword. The term is derived from the Latin word "ensis," which means "sword," and "forma," which means "shape" or "form." When used in reference to anatomy, "ensiform" typically describes a structure or part of an organism that is elongated, tapering, and pointed, resembling the shape of a sword.

   In human anatomy, "ensiform" is commonly used to describe the xiphoid process, a small, elongated, and cartilaginous extension at the bottom of the sternum (breastbone). It is named "xiphoid" due to its resemblance to the shape of a sword. The xiphoid process serves as an attachment point for several muscles and ligaments, but its length and shape can vary among individuals.

   "Ensiform" can also be used more broadly to describe any object or organism that features a similar elongated and pointed shape. For example, certain plant leaves may be described as ensiform if they exhibit a long, narrow, and tapering shape, resembling a sword blade. Similarly, a fish with a slender, pointed body could be referred to as having an ensiform shape.

   Overall, "ensiform" is a term used to describe any object or structure that possesses a sword-like shape, whether in the realm of human anatomy or in other contexts such as botany or zoology.

2. Xiphoid, sword-shaped; noting the cartilaginous process shaped like a sword-tip, at the lower end of the sternum, the ensiform or xiphoid cartilage or process, metasternum.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

3. In bot., in the form of a sword, as the leaves of the gladiolus; in anat., applied to the cartilage in which the breast-bone ends.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for ENSIFORM

• wnsiform
• snsiform
• dnsiform
• rnsiform
• 4nsiform
• 3nsiform
• ebsiform
• emsiform
• ejsiform
• ehsiform
• enaiform
• enziform
• enxiform
• endiform
• eneiform
• enwiform
• ensuform
• ensjform
• enskform

Etymology of ENSIFORM

The word "ensiform" comes from Latin, with its roots in the combination of "ensis" meaning "sword" and "forma" meaning "form" or "shape". In Latin, "ensis" refers to various types of swords, particularly the type known as the "gladius ensis" which was used by Roman soldiers. Thus, "ensiform" essentially means "sword-shaped" or "resembling a sword". This word is commonly used in anatomy to describe structures that have a shape similar to that of a sword, such as the ensiform process of the sternum.