intima

[ in-tuh-muh ]
/ ˈɪn tə mə /

noun, plural in·ti·mae [in-tuh-mee] /ˈɪn təˌmi/. Anatomy.

the innermost membrane or lining of some organ or part, especially that of an artery, vein, or lymphatic.

Origin of intima

1870–75; < New Latin, noun use of feminine of Latin intimus, intumus inmost, equivalent to in- in-2 + -timus superlative suffix; cf. optimal, ultimate

OTHER WORDS FROM intima

in·ti·mal, adjective sub·in·ti·mal, adjective

Words nearby intima

intestines, inthral, inthrone, inti, intifada, intima, intimacy, intimate, intimate borrowing, intimation, intimations of immortality

Example sentences from the Web for intima

British Dictionary definitions for intima

intima
/ (ˈɪntɪmə) /

noun plural -mae (-ˌmiː)

anatomy zoology the innermost layer of an organ or part, esp of a blood vessel

Derived forms of intima

intimal, adjective

Word Origin for intima

C19: from Latin, feminine of intimus innermost; see intimate 1

Medical definitions for intima

intima
[ ĭn′tə-mə ]

n. pl. in•ti•mas

The innermost coat of an organ.

Other words from intima

in′ti•mal adj.