Umbo
/ˈʌm.boʊ/noun
A rounded protuberance, especially the central boss of an ancient shield or the raised center of a structure.
Did you know?In biology, “umbo” names the raised center of a clam shell and the knob-like projection on certain leaves, preserving the word’s ancient shape-based meaning.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₃nobh- / *ombh-
“A swelling, rounded projection, or navel-like center”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ὀμφαλός (omphalós)
“Navel; the central point or rounded hub”
Classical Latin
Latin
umbo
“A boss or raised central projection, especially on a shield”
Late Latin
Latin
umbō
“A projecting boss, knob, or central swelling”
17th Century
English
umbo
“A protuberance or boss, used in descriptions of shields and natural forms”
Modern English
English
umbo
“A rounded projection in anatomy, zoology, botany, and archaeology”