Labrum
/ˈleɪ.brəm/noun
A lip-like edge or rim, especially in anatomy or in ancient Roman contexts a basin or washbasin.
Did you know?Labrum comes from the same ancient root as Latin labium, so the word’s history is tied to the idea of a lip, edge, or border rather than anything mystical—though its shape made it a natural term for bowls and rims.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*leb-
“to hang down, droop, or be loose”
Proto-Italic
PIE
*labro-
“edge, lip, rim”
Latin
Latin
labrum
“lip; rim; basin or washbasin”
Late Latin
Latin
labrum
“a basin used for washing”
English
English
labrum
“a lip-like edge or rim, especially in anatomy”