turbinate

[ tur-buh-nit, -neyt ]

adjective
  1. Also tur·bi·nat·ed. having the shape of an inverted cone; scroll-like; whorled; spiraled.

  2. Anatomy. of or relating to certain scroll-like, spongy bones of the nasal passages in humans and other vertebrates.

  1. inversely conical.

noun
  1. a turbinate shell.

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

Origin of turbinate

1
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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for turbinate

turbinate

turbinal (ˈtɜːbɪnəl)

/ (ˈtɜːbɪnɪt, -ˌneɪt) /


adjectiveAlso: turbinated
  1. anatomy of or relating to any of the thin scroll-shaped bones situated on the walls of the nasal passages

  2. shaped like a spiral or scroll

  1. (esp of the shells of certain molluscs) shaped like an inverted cone

noun
  1. Also called: nasal concha a turbinate bone

  2. a turbinate shell

Origin of turbinate

1
C17: from Latin turbō spinning top

Derived forms of turbinate

  • turbination, noun

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