funiculus

[ fyoo-nik-yuh-luh s ]
/ fyuˈnɪk yə ləs /

noun, plural fu·nic·u·li [fyoo-nik-yuh-lahy] /fyuˈnɪk yəˌlaɪ/.

Anatomy. a conducting cord, as a nerve cord or umbilical cord.
Botany. a funicle.
Entomology. (in certain insects) the portion of the antenna between the basal segments and the club.

Origin of funiculus

1655–65; < Latin: small rope, cord, equivalent to fūni(s) rope, line + -culus -cule1

Example sentences from the Web for funiculus

British Dictionary definitions for funiculus

funiculus
/ (fjuːˈnɪkjʊləs) /

noun plural -li (-ˌlaɪ)

anatomy a cordlike part or structure, esp a small bundle of nerve fibres in the spinal cord
a variant of funicle

Word Origin for funiculus

C17: from Latin; see funicle

Medical definitions for funiculus

funiculus
[ fyu-nĭkyə-ləs, fə- ]

n. pl. fu•nic•u•li (-lī′)

A slender cordlike strand or band, especially a bundle of nerve fibers in a nerve trunk.
Any of three major divisions of white matter in the spinal cord, consisting of fasciculi.
The umbilical cord.

Other words from funiculus

fu•nicu•lar (-lər) adj.

Scientific definitions for funiculus

funiculus
[ fyu-nĭkyə-ləs ]

Plural funiculi (fyu-nĭkyə-lī)

A stalk connecting an ovule or a seed with the placenta (the ovary wall). In some plants, the funiculus develops into a fleshy seed covering called an aril.
A slender, cordlike strand or band, especially a bundle of nerve fibers in a nerve trunk.
Any of three major divisions of white matter in the spinal cord.
The umbilical cord.