umbilical cord
noun
Anatomy.
a cord or funicle connecting the embryo or fetus with the placenta of the mother and transporting nourishment from the mother and wastes from the fetus.
any electrical, fuel, or other cable or connection for servicing, operating, or testing equipment, as in a rocket or missile, that is disconnected from the equipment at completion.
Aerospace Slang.
a strong lifeline by which an astronaut on a spacewalk is connected to the vehicle and supplied with air, a communication system, etc.
Origin of umbilical cord
1745–55; 1965–70
for def 2
Words nearby umbilical cord
umberto,
umberto i,
umberto ii,
umbilical,
umbilical artery,
umbilical cord,
umbilical hernia,
umbilical ligament,
umbilical region,
umbilical ring,
umbilical vein
British Dictionary definitions for umbilical cord
umbilical cord
noun
the long flexible tubelike structure connecting a fetus with the placenta: it provides a means of metabolic interchange with the mother
any flexible cord, tube, or cable used to transfer information, power, oxygen, etc, as between an astronaut walking in space and his spacecraft or a deep-sea diver and his craft
Medical definitions for umbilical cord
umbilical cord
n.
The flexible cordlike structure connecting a fetus at the navel with the placenta and containing two umbilical arteries and one vein that transport nourishment to the fetus and remove its wastes.
funis
Scientific definitions for umbilical cord
umbilical cord
[ ŭm-bĭl′ĭ-kəl ]
The flexible cord that attaches an embryo or fetus to the placenta. The umbilical cord contains blood vessels that supply nutrients and oxygen to the fetus and remove its wastes, including carbon dioxide.
Cultural definitions for umbilical cord
umbilical cord
[ (um-bil-i-kuhl) ]
A ropelike structure that connects a developing embryo or fetus to the placenta. The umbilical cord contains the blood vessels that supply the embryo or fetus with nutrients and remove waste products. Connected to the abdomen of the embryo or fetus, the umbilical cord is cut at birth, leaving a small depression — the navel, or “belly button.”
notes for umbilical cord
The detaching of the umbilical cord provides a figure of speech for new independence: “He finally cut the umbilical cord and moved out of his parents' home.”