Pelvic
/ˈpɛl.vɪk/noun
Relating to the pelvis, the bony structure at the base of the spine that connects the trunk and legs.
Did you know?The Latin word pelvis meant “basin” or “bowl,” a metaphor reflected in the pelvis’s broad, bowl-like shape and its role in supporting abdominal organs.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*pelə-
“To fill or be full; a proposed ancestral root connected with the idea of containment.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
pelē
“A bowl, basin, or vessel; a possible cognate of the Latin term.”
Classical Latin
Latin
pelvis
“A basin or bowl, later used anatomically for the bowl-shaped bones at the base of the trunk.”
Late Latin
Latin
pelvicus
“Relating to the pelvis.”
17th Century
English
pelvic
“Relating to the pelvis, adopted as a medical anatomical adjective.”
Modern English
English
pelvic
“Pertaining to the pelvis or the region of the lower abdomen and hips.”