frenulum

== English == === Alternative forms === fraenulum, frænulum (hypercorrect, nonstandard) === Etymology === Borrowed from New Latin frēnulum, diminutive of frēnum (“a bridle, curb, bit”). === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈfriː.njʊl.əm/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˈfrɛn.jəl.əm/ === Noun === frenulum (plural frenula or frenulums) (anatomy) A small fold or ridge of tissue that supports or restrains the motion of the part to which it is attached, in particular a fold of skin beneath the tongue, or between the lip and the gum. Synonym: frenum (entomology, zootomy) A bristle or row of bristles on the edge of the hindwings of some lepidoptera which unites the wings by interlocking with a catch on the posterior part of the forewings. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === References === “frenulum”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022. “frenulum”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present. == Latin == === Alternative forms === fraenulum === Etymology === From frēnum (“a bridle, curb, bit”) +‎ -ulum (diminutive nominal suffix). === Pronunciation === (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA(key): [ˈfrɛː.nu.lum] === Noun === frēnulum n (genitive frēnulī); second declension (New Latin) diminutive of frēnum ==== Inflection ==== Second-declension noun (neuter). ==== Descendants ==== → English: frenulum