talus

1 of 2

noun (1)

ta·​lus ˈtā-ləs How to pronounce talus (audio) ˈta- How to pronounce talus (audio)
1
: a slope formed especially by an accumulation of rock debris
2
: rock debris at the base of a cliff

talus

2 of 2

noun (2)

ta·​lus ˈtā-ləs How to pronounce talus (audio)
plural tali ˈtā-ˌlī How to pronounce talus (audio)
1
: the human tarsal bone that bears the weight of the body and that together with the tibia and fibula forms the ankle joint
2
: the entire ankle

Examples of talus in a Sentence

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Noun
The soft tissue of the ankle’s ligaments connects the ankle bones (like the tibia, fibula, and talus) to one another and stabilizes the joint. — Alyssa Ages, Outside Online, 28 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

French, from Middle French, probably from Vulgar Latin *talutum side, slope; akin to Latin talutium slope indicating presence of gold under the soil

Noun (2)

New Latin, from Latin

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1645, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of talus was in 1578

Rhymes for talus

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Cite this Entry

“Talus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/talus. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

talus

noun
ta·​lus
ˈtā-ləs
: a pile of rocks broken off from and found at the base of a cliff or steep slope

Medical Definition

talus

noun
ta·​lus ˈtā-ləs How to pronounce talus (audio)
plural tali ˈtā-ˌlī How to pronounce talus (audio)
1
: the human astragalus that bears the weight of the body and together with the tibia and fibula forms the ankle joint

called also anklebone

2
: the entire ankle

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