fossa

1
[ fos-uh ]
/ ˈfɒs ə /

noun, plural fos·sae [fos-ee] /ˈfɒs i/. Anatomy.

a pit, cavity, or depression, as in a bone.

Origin of fossa

1
1820–30; < Latin: ditch, trench, fosse, short for fossa ( terra) dug or dug out (earth), noun use of feminine of fossus, past participle of fodere to dig

Definition for fossa (2 of 2)

fossa 2
[ fos-uh ]
/ ˈfɒs ə /

noun

a forest-dwelling genetlike mammal, Cryptoprocta ferox, of the civet family, native to Madagascar, with a short coat of white, black, gray, or brown: now rare.
Also called fossa cat.

Origin of fossa

2
1830–40; < Malagasy; compare earlier fossane (< French < Malagasy)

Example sentences from the Web for fossa

British Dictionary definitions for fossa (1 of 2)

fossa 1
/ (ˈfɒsə) /

noun plural -sae (-siː)

an anatomical depression, trench, or hollow area

Word Origin for fossa

C19: from Latin: ditch, from fossus dug up, from fodere to dig up

British Dictionary definitions for fossa (2 of 2)

fossa 2
/ (ˈfɒsə) /

noun

a large primitive catlike viverrine mammal, Cryptoprocta ferox, inhabiting the forests of Madagascar: order Carnivora (carnivores). It has thick reddish-brown fur and preys on lemurs, poultry, etc

Word Origin for fossa

from Malagasy

Medical definitions for fossa

fossa
[ fŏsə ]

n. pl. fos•sae (fŏsē′)

A small longitudinal cavity or depression, as in a bone.