trapezius

[ truh-pee-zee-uh s ]
/ trəˈpi zi əs /

noun, plural tra·pe·zi·us·es. Anatomy.

a broad, flat muscle on each side of the upper and back part of the neck, shoulders, and back, the action of which raises, or rotates, or draws back the shoulders, and pulls the head backward or to one side.

Origin of trapezius

1685–95; < New Latin, short for trapezius musculus trapeziform muscle

Words nearby trapezius

trapeze, trapeze artist, trapezial, trapeziform, trapezium, trapezius, trapezohedron, trapezoid, trapezoid ligament, trapezoid line, trapezoid rule

Example sentences from the Web for trapezius

British Dictionary definitions for trapezius

trapezius
/ (trəˈpiːzɪəs) /

noun plural -uses

either of two flat triangular muscles, one covering each side of the back and shoulders, that rotate the shoulder blades

Word Origin for trapezius

C18: from New Latin trapezius ( musculus) trapezium-shaped (muscle)