cartilage

/'kɑ:tilidʤ/

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Word: Cartilage

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: Cartilage is a tough and flexible type of tissue in our bodies. It is not as hard as bone but provides support and structure. In children, many parts of their skeleton are made of cartilage, but as they grow, much of this cartilage turns into bone.

Usage Instructions:

• When to Use: Use the word "cartilage" when talking about anatomy, especially when discussing the body’s structure, joints, and certain parts of the ears and nose.
• Form: The word is a noun and does not change form (no plural).

Example Sentences:

1. "The cartilage in my knee helps it move smoothly."
2. "As children grow, their cartilage in the ribs is gradually replaced by bone."

Advanced Usage:

In medical or biological contexts, you might hear about different types of cartilage, such as: - Hyaline cartilage: This is the most common type, found in the ribs and nose. - Elastic cartilage: This type is more flexible and found in the ear. - Fibrocartilage: This is strong and can be found in the spine and joints.

Word Variants:

• Cartilaginous (adjective): Relating to cartilage. For example, "Sharks have a cartilaginous skeleton."

Different Meanings:

In general contexts, "cartilage" refers specifically to the biological tissue. There are no widely recognized alternate meanings outside of this context.

Synonyms:

• Tough tissue
• Flexible tissue

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs specifically using "cartilage." However, you might find phrases related to the joints or flexibility, such as: - "Bend over backwards" (to make a great effort, which could metaphorically relate to flexible cartilage).

Summary:

Cartilage is an important part of our body structure, providing support while allowing flexibility, especially in areas like joints, the nose, and the ears.

Academic

Noun

1. tough elastic tissue; mostly converted to bone in adults

Synonyms

• gristle