Costae
/ˈkɒs.tiː/noun
Plural of costa, meaning ribs or rib-like structures, especially in anatomy and botany.
Did you know?In Latin, costa meant a rib, and the same root survives in scientific words like costal and intercostal, where the body is literally described in rib-language.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kost-
“A rib or side”
Latin
Latin
costa
“Rib, side, or edge”
Late Latin
Latin
costae
“Ribs (plural)”
Old French
Old French
coste
“Side, rib, coast”
Middle English
English
coste
“Side, shore, or rib”
Modern English
English
costal
“Relating to the ribs or side”