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posterior

 - 6 dictionary results

pos⋅te⋅ri⋅or

  [po-steer-ee-er, poh-]
Use posterior in a Sentence
–adjective
1. situated behind or at the rear of; hinder (opposed to anterior ).
2. coming after in order, as in a series.
3. coming after in time; later; subsequent (sometimes fol. by to).
4. Anatomy, Zoology.
a. (in quadrupeds) pertaining to or toward the rear or caudal end of the body.
b. (in humans and other primates) pertaining to or toward the back plane of the body, equivalent to the dorsal surface of quadrupeds.
5. Botany. toward the back and near the main axis, as the upper lip of a flower.
–noun
6. the hinder parts or rump of the body; buttocks.
Origin:
1525–35; < L, comp. of posterus coming after, deriv. of post after

Related forms:
pos⋅te⋅ri⋅or⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. See back 1 .
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To posterior
pos·te·ri·or   (pŏ-stîr'ē-ər, pō-)   
adj.  

  1. Located behind a part or toward the rear of a structure.

  2. Relating to the caudal end of the body in quadrupeds or the dorsal side in humans and other primates.

  3. Botany Next to or facing the main stem or axis.

  4. Coming after in order; following.

  5. Following in time; subsequent.

n.  The buttocks.

[Latin, comparative of posterus, coming after, from post, afterward; see apo- in Indo-European roots.]
pos·te'ri·or·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

posterior  (adj.)
1534, "later," from L. posterior "after, later, behind," comparative of posterus "coming after, subsequent," from post "after." Meaning "buttocks" is attested from 1619.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 1pos·te·ri·or
Pronunciation: pO-'stir-E-&r, pä-
Function: adjective
: situated behind: as a : situated at or toward the hind part of the body : CAUDAL b : DORSAL —used of human anatomy in which the upright posture makes dorsal and caudal identical

Main Entry: 2pos·te·ri·or
Pronunciation: pä-'stir-E-&r, pO-
Function: noun
: a posterior thing or part: as a : the rear end of a quadruped b : BUTTOCKS
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

posterior pos·te·ri·or (pŏ-stēr'ē-ər, pō-)
adj.

  1. Located behind a part or toward the rear of a structure.

  2. Relating to the caudal end of the body in quadrupeds or the dorsal side in humans.

  3. Near the tail or caudal end of certain embryos.

pos·te'ri·or·ly adv.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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