First Known Use: 1733
Dictionary
1fossa
noun fos·sa \ˈfä-sə\
plural fos·sae \-ˌsē, -ˌsī\
Definition of FOSSA
: an anatomical pit, groove, or depression
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Origin of FOSSA
New Latin, from Latin, ditch
2fossa
noun
Definition of FOSSA
: a slender long-tailed carnivorous mammal (Cryptoprocta ferox) of Madagascar that has retractile claws and is often grouped with the mongooses or placed in a related family (Eupleridae)
Illustration of FOSSA
Origin of FOSSA
Malagasy
First Known Use: 1838
Medical Dictionary
fossa
noun fos·sa \ˈfäs-ə\
plural fos·sae \-ˌē, -ˌī\
Medical Definition of FOSSA
: an anatomical pit, groove, or depression <the temporal fossa of the skull> <the fossa in the liver for the gallbladder>
—fos·sate \-ˌāt\ adjective
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