Umbilical
/ˌʌmˈbɪl.ɪ.kəl/noun
Relating to the umbilicus, or navel; by extension, central or essential.
Did you know?The same Latin root behind *umbilical* also gave English *umbel* (a flower cluster shaped like an umbrella) through a completely different branch of borrowing from the idea of a little navel-like center.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ombʰ-
“navel, center”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ómphalos
“navel; central point; sacred navel-stone”
Latin
Latin
umbilicus
“navel; center; middle point”
Late Latin
Latin
umbilicalis
“of or relating to the navel”
14th–15th Century
English
umbilical
“pertaining to the navel or navel cord”
Modern English
English
umbilical
“relating to the umbilicus; essential or central”
Explore more surprising origins