vertebrae
See also: vertebræ
English
Alternative forms
- vertebræ
- vertebras
Pronunciation
- (US) IPA(key): /ˈvɝː.tə.bɹi/, /ˈvɝː.tə.bɹeɪ/, /ˈvɝː.tə.bɹaɪ/
Noun
vertebrae
- plural of vertebra; the bones that make up the spinal column.
Usage notes
Usually in English, the Latin diphthong ae is Anglicized as /i/, a long e sound. The original Latin diphthong was pronounced /aɪ/, as a long i. The pronunciation of vertebrae ending in /eɪ/ with a long a is undoubtedly more common, but generally frowned upon by orthoepists as it is not supported by etymology (like the long i) or analogy (like the long e), only usage. Since all three are supported by their own argument, they are all acceptable.
Anagrams
- verberate
Latin
Noun
vertebrae
- nominative plural of vertebra
- genitive singular of vertebra
- dative singular of vertebra
- vocative plural of vertebra