turbinate

[ tur-buh-nit, -neyt ]
/ ˈtɜr bə nɪt, -ˌneɪt /

adjective

Also tur·bi·nat·ed. having the shape of an inverted cone; scroll-like; whorled; spiraled.
Anatomy. of or relating to certain scroll-like, spongy bones of the nasal passages in humans and other vertebrates.
inversely conical.

noun

a turbinate shell.
Also called nasal concha. Anatomy. a turbinate bone.

Origin of turbinate

1655–65; < Latin turbinātus shaped like a top, equivalent to turbin- (stem of turbō a top; see turbine) + -ātus -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM turbinate

tur·bi·na·tion, noun non·tur·bi·nate, adjective non·tur·bi·nat·ed, adjective

Words nearby turbinate

turbidimeter, turbidimetry, turbidite, turbidity current, turbinal, turbinate, turbinate bone, turbine, turbine blade, turbine ventilator, turbinectomy

Example sentences from the Web for turbinate

British Dictionary definitions for turbinate

turbinate

turbinal (ˈtɜːbɪnəl)

/ (ˈtɜːbɪnɪt, -ˌneɪt) /

adjective Also: turbinated

anatomy of or relating to any of the thin scroll-shaped bones situated on the walls of the nasal passages
shaped like a spiral or scroll
(esp of the shells of certain molluscs) shaped like an inverted cone

noun

Also called: nasal concha a turbinate bone
a turbinate shell

Derived forms of turbinate

turbination, noun

Word Origin for turbinate

C17: from Latin turbō spinning top

Medical definitions for turbinate

turbinate
[ tûr′bə-nĭt, -nāt′ ]

adj.

Shaped like a top.
Of or relating to a turbinate bone.