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sta·pes  (stāpēz)
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Tweet n. pl. stapes or sta·pe·des (stāpĭ-dēz′) The innermost of the three small bones of the middle ear, shaped somewhat like a stirrup. Also called stirrup. [New Latin stapēs, stapēd-, from Medieval Latin, stirrup, perhaps alteration (influenced by Latin stāre, to stand, and pēs, ped-, foot) of staffa, stapha, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English stæpe, stepe, step.] sta·pedi·al (stā-pēdē-əl) adj. |
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