Anal
/ˈeɪ.nəl/noun
Relating to the anus or the bodily area surrounding it.
Did you know?Latin anus originally meant both “ring” and “anus,” linking the anatomical term to the body part’s rounded opening rather than to any occult meaning.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ano-
“A ring or circular form; the reconstructed ancestor proposed for the Latin anatomical term”
Classical Latin
Latin
anus
“A ring; also the anus or circular bodily opening”
Late Latin
Latin
analis
“Relating to the anus”
17th Century
English
anal
“Relating to the anus, borrowed from Latin analis”
Modern English
English
anal
“Relating to the anus; also used informally for excessively meticulous behavior”