talus

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   anatomy: the ankle bone that articulates with the tibia and fibula above and the calcaneus below

   The scan revealed a small fracture of the talus.

2. 2
   noun

   geology: a sloping accumulation of loose rock fragments at the base of a cliff or steep slope

   A broad talus of broken shale spread below the cliff.

The anatomical term is New Latin from Latin talus, 'ankle or anklebone.' The geological homonym came from French talus, 'slope or embankment,' from Old French talu; it names both a slope and the debris accumulated upon it.

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