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clit·o·ris

(klĭtər-ĭs, klĭ-tôrĭs, klītər-ĭs)

A small erectile body situated at the anterior portion of the vulva and projecting between the branched extremities of the labia minora forming its prepuce and frenulum.

[New Latin clītoris, from Greek kleitoris, possibly from diminutive of *kleitōr, clasp of a necklace, key; see klei- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots, from kleiein, to close (for the semantic development, compare Greek balanos, acorn, peg with an acorn-shaped bulge in a fastener, clasp of a necklace, glans penis).]

clito·ral (-ər-əl) adj.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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