English

Noun

umbo ‎(plural umbones or umbos or umboes)

1. (biology) A boss, or rounded elevation, or a corresponding depression, in a palate, disk, or membrane. For example the umbo in the integument of the larvæ of echinoderms or in the tympanic membrane of the ear.
2. (zoology) One of the lateral prominence just above the hinge of a bivalve shell.
3. (mycology) A bump or protrusion on the top of the cap.
4. (historical) The boss of a shield, at or near the middle, and usually projecting, sometimes in a sharp spike.
   • 1786: It is thirteen inches diameter, made of wood covered with leather, and an iron plate decorated with nails and mouldings; the boss or umbo projects four inches. — Francis Grose, A Treatise on Ancient Armour and Weapons, page xii.

Derived terms

• umbonal
• umbonic

See also

• boss

Latin

Etymology

From Proto-Indo-European *h₃m̥bʰ-.

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /ˈum.boː/, [ˈʊm.boː]

Noun

umbō f ‎(genitive umbōnis); third declension

1. boss (of a shield etc.)
2. elbow (or similar projecting part)

Declension

Third declension.

Descendants

• Translingual: Umbonium (generic name)
• English: umbo
• Italian: umbone

References

• umbo in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
• umbo in Charlton T. Lewis (1891) An Elementary Latin Dictionary, New York: Harper & Brothers
• Félix Gaffiot (1934), “umbo”, in Dictionnaire Illustré Latin-Français, Paris: Hachette.
• umbo in Harry Thurston Peck, editor (1898) Harper's Dictionary of Classical Antiquities, New York: Harper & Brothers
• umbo in William Smith et al., editor (1890) A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, London: William Wayte. G. E. Marindin

Swahili

Noun

umbo (ma class, plural maumbo)

1. shape (appearance or outline)