How Do You Spell TALUS?

Pronunciation: [tˈaləs] (IPA)

Talus is a term often used in geology to describe a sloping rock formation. The word is pronounced /ˈtæləs/ in IPA phonetic transcription, with the stress on the first syllable. The spelling of the word is derived from the Latin word "talus," meaning an ankle or joint, and is often confused with the word "Atlas," which refers to a collection of maps. The distinct pronunciation of "talus" helps to differentiate it from other words that may sound similar, while the spelling helps maintain its Latin roots.

TALUS Meaning and Definition

  1. Talus is a term used in various contexts, including geology, anatomy, and hiking. In geology, talus refers to a sloping heap or accumulation of rocky debris that has accumulated at the base of a cliff or steep slope. It typically consists of different sized rocks and boulders that have resulted from weathering and erosion processes, such as frost action, landslides, or rockfalls. Talus formations are commonly found in mountainous regions.

    In anatomy, the talus is one of the tarsal bones, located in the foot. It is positioned between the tibia and fibula (bones of the lower leg) and the calcaneus (heel bone). The talus plays a crucial role in the movement and stability of the foot, as it articulates with both the tibia and the calcaneus.

    When it comes to hiking, talus is often used to describe challenging terrain consisting of loose rocks or boulders. Hikers encounter talus fields or slopes when navigating steep and rocky sections of a trail, where careful foot placement is required to avoid slipping and potential injuries.

    Overall, talus can refer to a pile of rock debris at the base of a slope, a bone in the foot, or rocky terrain encountered during hiking. The exact meaning depends on the context in which it is used.

  2. Ankle-bone, astragalus; the bone of the foot which articulates with the tibia and fibula to form the ankle-joint.

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

  3. In anat., the ankle-bone; in arch. or fort., the sloping part of a work; a slope; in geol., a sloping heap of fragments at the bottom of a rocky declivity, derived from its weathered and wasted surface.

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

Common Misspellings for TALUS

Etymology of TALUS

The word "talus" has its origin in Latin. It comes from the Latin word "tālus", which means ankle or anklebone. In English, the word talus refers to the large bone in the ankle joint, but it is also used to describe a sloping mass of rock debris at the base of a cliff or slope, which resembles the shape of an ankle.

Similar spelling words for TALUS

Plural form of TALUS is TALI OR TALUSES

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