tympanic

C2 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /tɪmˈpænɪk/ UK /tɪmˈpænɪk/ See IPA manual

Freq #131077

Meanings

1

adj
relating to the eardrum, middle ear, or tympanum

The tympanic membrane vibrates when sound waves enter the ear canal.
2

adj
resembling or characteristic of a drum

The creature's tight tympanic surface amplified each low vibration.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · relating to the eardrum,... tympanaleardrum-related

2 adj · resembling or... drumlikeresonant

Word family

Derived forms epitympanicintratympanic

Related forms tympanum eardrummiddle ear

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

tympanic membrane
the thin membrane in the ear that vibrates in response to sound

Adjective + noun

Etymology

From tympanum + -ic, ultimately from Greek tympanon, 'drum.' Anatomical Latin used tympanum for the eardrum because its stretched membrane resembles the head of a drum.

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

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