posterior

C2+ Topic:Describing Qualities

US /pɑˈstɪriər/ UK /pɒˈstɪəriə/ See IPA manual

Meanings

1

adj
situated at or toward the rear; the buttocks

The wound was located on the posterior surface of the thigh.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · situated at or toward the... rear hind back buttocks behind rumphindquarters

Opposites

anterior front fore

Word family

Forms posteriorly

Derived forms posteriorlyposteriority

Etymology

From Latin posterior ('coming after, later, hinder'), comparative of posterus ('coming after'), from post ('after, behind').

posterior Latin post Old English

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# posterior

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2+
**Part of speech:** adj
**IPA (US):** /pɑˈstɪriər/
**IPA (UK):** /pɒˈstɪəriə/

## Meanings
1. situated at or toward the rear; the buttocks

## Examples
- The wound was located on the posterior surface of the thigh.

## Synonyms
- rear
- hind
- back
- buttocks
- behind
- rump
- hindquarters

## Antonyms
- anterior
- front
- fore

## Derived Forms
- posteriorly
- posteriority

## Related Forms
- posterity
- post
- posthumous

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: posterior
- Root: post

## Etymology
From Latin posterior ('coming after, later, hinder'), comparative of posterus ('coming after'), from post ('after, behind').

## AI Etymology
Posterior comes from Latin posterior ('coming after, later, hinder'), comparative of posterus ('coming after'), from post ('after, behind'). The form is best read as a historical transfer or inheritance, with its older language material carrying the main semantic load. As an adjective and noun, it carries the sense "situated at or toward the rear; the buttocks", with the older formation still helping explain the modern use. Relevant historical forms include Latin posterior and Latin post. Derivative forms include posteriorly, posteriority; related words include posterity, post, posthumous.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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