acetabulum

ac·e·tab·u·lum Audio Help (ās'ĭ-tāb'yə-ləm)

n. pl. ac·e·tab·u·la (-lə)

Anatomy The cup-shaped cavity at the base of the hipbone into which the ball-shaped head of the femur fits.
Zoology The cavity in the body of an insect into which the leg fits.
Zoology A cup-shaped structure, such as the sucker of a tapeworm or leech.

[Latin acētābulum, vinegar cup, from acētum, vinegar; see acetum.]
ac'e·tab'u·lar (-lər) adj.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
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