Dictionary

Adam's apple

noun

: the lump that sticks out in the front of a person's neck, that is usually larger in men than in women, and that moves when a person talks or swallows

Full Definition of ADAM'S APPLE

:  the projection in the front of the neck formed by the largest cartilage of the larynx
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First Known Use of ADAM'S APPLE

circa 1755

Rhymes with ADAM'S APPLE

ADAM'S APPLE Defined for Kids

Adam's apple

noun Ad·am's apple \ˈa-dəmz-\

Definition of ADAM'S APPLE for Kids

:  the lump formed in the front of a person's neck by cartilage in the throat
Medical Dictionary

Adam's apple

noun Ad·am's ap·ple \ˌad-əm-ˈzap-əl\

Medical Definition of ADAM'S APPLE

:  the projection in the front of the neck that is formed by the thyroid cartilage and is particularly prominent in males

Biographical Note for ADAM'S APPLE

Adam, biblical character. According to the Bible, Adam was the first man, the husband of Eve, and later the father of Cain and Abel. Adam and Eve lived in the garden of Eden until they ate a forbidden fruit, traditionally held to be an apple. As a punishment they were expelled from Eden. Adam lived a total of 930 years. The term Adam's apple arose through a misinterpretation of the Hebrew for protuberance on man used to denote this anatomical part. The late Hebrew word for protuberance is very similar to the word for apple, and Adam in Hebrew can refer to man in general as well as the biblical figure. Thus the expression was misinterpreted, perhaps owing to the association of Adam with apples.

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