1 auricle | Definition of auricle

auricle

noun
au·​ri·​cle | \ ˈȯr-i-kÉ™l How to pronounce auricle (audio) \

Definition of auricle

1a : an atrium of a heart
c : an anterior ear-shaped pouch in each atrium of the human heart
2 : an angular or ear-shaped lobe, process, or appendage

Examples of auricle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The World Cup, bless its enormous heart — which this year is missing Italian, American, Chilean and Dutch ventricles and auricles — can bring out the worst (acting, officiating) and best (quotes, actions) in people. Nick Canepa, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Can soccer ever be in the Big Three?," 2 July 2018 The auricle collects those sound waves and funnels them into the ear canal, which then makes your eardrum vibrate, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Amber Brenza, SELF, "Why Do My Earbuds Always Fall Out?," 4 Feb. 2018 Another catheter, similarly connected, went into the right auricle. Lily Rothman, Time, "50 Years Ago This Week: Inside the First Heart Transplant," 11 Dec. 2017 Humans do have weak vestigial muscles attached to the shell of the ear, called the auricle or pinna, as well as evidence of a vestigial nervous system, which could have functioned to orient the ears. C. Claiborne Ray, New York Times, "Born to Be an Ear Wiggler?," 16 Jan. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'auricle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of auricle

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for auricle

Latin auricula, from diminutive of auris ear — more at ear

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More Definitions for auricle

auricle

noun
au·​ri·​cle | \ ˈȯr-i-kÉ™l How to pronounce auricle (audio) \

Kids Definition of auricle

: atrium

auricle

noun
au·​ri·​cle | \ ˈȯr-i-kÉ™l How to pronounce auricle (audio) \

Medical Definition of auricle

1a : pinna
b : an atrium of the heart
2 : an angular or ear-shaped anatomical lobe or process (as an auricular appendage of the heart)

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More from Merriam-Webster on auricle

Spanish Central: Translation of auricle

Nglish: Translation of auricle for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of auricle for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about auricle