capitulum

noun

ca·​pit·​u·​lum kə-ˈpi-chə-ləm 

plural capitula kə-ˈpi-chə-lə 

1

: a rounded protuberance of an anatomical part (such as a bone)

2

: a racemose inflorescence (as of the sunflower) with the axis shortened and dilated to form a rounded or flattened cluster of sessile flowers see inflorescence illustration

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, small head — more at chapter

First Known Use

circa 1755, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

capitulum

noun

ca·​pit·​u·​lum -ə-ləm 

plural capitula -lə 

: a rounded protuberance of an anatomical part: as

a

: the knob at the end of a bone or cartilage

b

: the beak of a tick composed of the mouthparts and palpi