sternum

sternum, breastbone

noun stair-NOHM Rare

Origin: Greek sternon (chest)

Usage Note

Sternum is the flat bone at the centre of the chest to which the ribs attach. It is a direct Latin borrowing, and the final m is pronounced. The plural is sternums.

Examples

"Il s'est fracturé le sternum lors de l'accident."

Natural Translation

He fractured his sternum in the accident.

Literal Translation

He himself-fractured the sternum during the accident.

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