dorsal

Meaning

Adj

1. With respect to, or concerning the side in which the backbone is located, or the analogous side of an invertebrate.
2. With respect to, or concerning the side in which the backbone is located, or the analogous side of an invertebrate.
3. Having only one sharp side.
4. Relating to the surface naturally inferior, as of a leaf.
5. Relating to the surface naturally superior, as of a creeping hepatic moss.

Noun

1. A hanging, usually of rich stuff, at the back of a throne, altar, etc.
2. Any of the longitudinal series of plates that encircle the body, excluding the ventral scales.
3. A sound produced using the dorsum of the tongue.

Synonyms

back

🔙

spinal

posterior

tergal

dorsally

abaxial

hinder

lumbar

nucleus olivaris accessorius dorsalis

rear

accessory olivary nucleus

dorse

in back of

back-related

at the rear

notal

of the back

fin

dorsum

hind

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈdɔː.səl/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: dorsal/dorsale

In summary

From Late Middle English dorsal/dorsale, borrowing from Medieval Latin dorsālis (“of or relating to the back”), from dorsum (“the back”) + -ālis (“-al”, adjectival suffix); equivalent to dorsum + -al.

Sentences

Dorsal scales on the tail smooth or weakly pluricarinate.

The additional avionics were housed in a long , raised dorsal spine .