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incus

noun
in·​cus | \ ˈiŋ-kəs How to pronounce incus (audio) \
plural incudes\ iŋ-​ˈkyü-​(ˌ)dēz How to pronounce incudes (audio) , ˈiŋ-​kyə-​ˌdēz \

Definition of incus

: the middle bone of a chain of three small bones in the ear of a mammal

— called also anvil

— see ear illustration

Examples of incus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 The auditory ossicles of the middle ear – the malleus, incus and stapes – are the tiniest bones in the human body. — Emily Matchar, Smithsonian, "Doctors Are 3D Printing Ear Bones To Help With Hearing Loss," 18 Dec. 2017

First Known Use of incus

1615, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for incus

New Latin, from Latin, anvil, from incudere

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More Definitions for incus

incus

noun
in·​cus | \ ˈiŋ-kəs How to pronounce incus (audio) \
plural incudes\ iŋ-​ˈkyüd-​(ˌ)ēz How to pronounce incudes (audio) , ˈiŋ-​kyə-​ˌdēz How to pronounce incudes (audio) \

Medical Definition of incus

: the middle bone of the chain of three ossicles in the middle ear of a mammal resembling a premolar tooth with the body having a facet which articulates with the malleus and with the longer of the two widely separated crura having a process which articulates with the stapes

— called also ambos, anvil

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