tonsil
[ ton-suh l ]
/ ˈtɒn səl /
noun Anatomy.
a prominent oval mass of lymphoid tissue on each side of the throat.
Origin of tonsil
First recorded in 1595–1605,
tonsil is from the Latin word
tōnsillae (plural) the tonsils
OTHER WORDS FROM tonsil
ton·sil·lar, ton·sil·ar, ton·sil·lar·y [ton-suh-ler-ee] /ˈtɒn səˌlɛr i/, adjectiveWords nearby tonsil
tonometer,
tonoplast,
tonotopic,
tonotropic,
tons,
tonsil,
tonsilla,
tonsillar,
tonsillar crypt,
tonsillar fossa,
tonsillectomy
Example sentences from the Web for tonsillar
These groups were selected from one large group, on the basis of presence or absence of tonsillar defect.
Adenoids and Diseased Tonsils |Margaret Cobb RogersThis form of tonsillitis is very frequent, and is often confounded with parenchymatous tonsillitis or with tonsillar abscess.
British Dictionary definitions for tonsillar
tonsil
/ (ˈtɒnsəl) /
noun
Also called: palatine tonsil
either of two small masses of lymphatic tissue situated one on each side of the back of the mouth
Related adjective: amygdaline
anatomy
any small rounded mass of tissue, esp lymphatic tissue
Derived forms of tonsil
tonsillar or tonsillary, adjectiveWord Origin for tonsil
C17: from Latin
tōnsillae (pl) tonsils, of uncertain origin
Medical definitions for tonsillar (1 of 2)
tonsillar
[ tŏn′sə-lər ]
adj.
Of or relating to a tonsil, especially the palatine tonsil.
Medical definitions for tonsillar (2 of 2)
tonsil
[ tŏn′səl ]
n.
A collection of lymphoid tissue.
A small oral mass of lymphoid tissue, especially either of two such masses embedded in the lateral walls of the opening between the mouth and the pharynx, of uncertain function, but believed to help protect the body from respiratory infections.
faucial tonsil palatine tonsil