subcardinal

adjective

sub·​cardinal
"+
: of, relating to, situated near, or being either of two veins in the mammalian embryo or the adult of some lower vertebrates that develop one on each side in the abdominal region ventromedial to the mesonephros and in the mammal participate in the formation of the inferior vena cava and the renal veins

Word History

Etymology

sub- + cardinal (vein)

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

  1. Expanded definitions
  2. Detailed etymologies
  3. Advanced search tools
  4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Dictionary Entries Near subcardinal

Cite this Entry

“Subcardinal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subcardinal. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!