Definition of tragus
tragiplay \-ˌgī, -ˌjī\
: the prominence in front of the external opening of the outer ear
tragus was our Word of the Day on 04/12/2012. Hear the podcast!
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Recent Examples of tragus from the Web
Grab a fan brush and using its flat side, apply color from your tragus (the little nub at the center of your ear) to the corner of your mouth, and blend very well.
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Lend Us Your Ear For the History of tragus
The tragus is the tongue-like projection of the outer ear. Its name comes from the Greek word tragos, meaning "he-goat." According to hearsay, the Greek word was influenced by Peloponnesian tragedy. In this style of drama, satyrs were represented as goatlike creatures, and their prominent ears became associated with a feature of our own human ears. Tragos contributed to the English language in another way as well; it is also the word from which tragedy is derived.
Origin and Etymology of tragus
New Latin, from Greek tragos, a part of the ear, literally, goat
First Known Use: 1615See Words from the same year
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