How Do You Spell MALLEIFORM?

Pronunciation: [mˈale͡ɪfˌɔːm] (IPA)

The word "malleiform", meaning "hammer-shaped", is spelled with the "mallei-" root from Latin "malleus" meaning "hammer". The "-form" suffix means "shape". The two syllables of "malleiform" are pronounced as /mal-ee-/ and /-fawrm/. The first syllable "mal-" is pronounced with a short "a" sound followed by a long "e" sound. The second syllable "-form" is pronounced with a long "o" sound followed by a short "r" sound and the "-m" is silent.

MALLEIFORM Meaning and Definition

  1. Malleiform is an adjective used to describe something that resembles the shape or form of a hammer. The term is derived from the word "malleus," which means "hammer" in Latin.

    In a literal sense, malleiform refers to objects or structures that have a hammer-like shape or appearance. This can include tools, such as hammers or mallets, which have a handle and a heavy, often metal, head used for striking or pounding.

    However, the term can also be used in a figurative sense to describe things that have a similar form or shape to that of a hammer. For example, malleiform can be used to describe certain parts of the anatomy, such as the ossicles in the middle ear which are small bones shaped like hammers, anvils, and stirrups.

    Additionally, malleiform can be used to describe geological formations or land formations that resemble a hammer or have a similar shape. This can include rock formations with a distinctive hammer-like shape or land areas with a geological structure resembling a hammerhead.

    In summary, malleiform is an adjective used to describe anything that has a shape resembling that of a hammer, whether it be literal tool, anatomical structure, or geological formation.

Etymology of MALLEIFORM

The word "malleiform" is derived from the Latin words "malleus" and "forma".

"Malleus" means "hammer" in Latin, and "forma" means "shape" or "form".

So, "malleiform" combines these two Latin words to describe something that is in the shape or form of a hammer.