carpus

noun

car·​pus ˈkär-pəs How to pronounce carpus (audio)
plural carpi ˈkär-ˌpī How to pronounce carpus (audio)
-(ˌ)pē
1
2
: the bones of the wrist

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek karpos — more at wharf

First Known Use

1676, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of carpus was in 1676

Dictionary Entries Near carpus

Cite this Entry

“Carpus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carpus. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

carpus

noun
car·​pus ˈkär-pəs How to pronounce carpus (audio)
plural carpi -ˌpī How to pronounce carpus (audio)
-ˌpē
: the wrist or its bones

Medical Definition

carpus

noun
car·​pus ˈkär-pəs How to pronounce carpus (audio)
plural carpi -ˌpī, -ˌpē How to pronounce carpus (audio)
1
: wrist
2
: the group of bones supporting the wrist comprising in humans a proximal row which contains the scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, and pisiform that articulate with the radius and a distal row which contains the trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, and hamate that articulate with the metacarpals

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