Library / English Dictionary

ELBOW

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

The joint of a mammal or bird that corresponds to the human elbow

Classified under:

Nouns denoting animals

Hypernyms ("elbow" is a kind of...):

articulatio; articulation; joint ((anatomy) the point of connection between two bones or elements of a skeleton (especially if it allows motion))

Holonyms ("elbow" is a part of...):

foreleg (the forelimb of a quadruped)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The part of a sleeve that covers the elbow joint

Example:

his coat had patches over the elbows

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("elbow" is a kind of...):

cloth covering (a covering made of cloth)

Holonyms ("elbow" is a part of...):

arm; sleeve (the part of a garment that is attached at the armhole and that provides a cloth covering for the arm)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A sharp bend in a road or river

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("elbow" is a kind of...):

bend; curve (curved segment (of a road or river or railroad track etc.))

Sense 4

Meaning:

A length of pipe with a sharp bend in it

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("elbow" is a kind of...):

pipage; pipe; piping (a long tube made of metal or plastic that is used to carry water or oil or gas etc.)

Sense 5

Meaning:

Hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped

Synonyms:

articulatio cubiti; cubital joint; cubitus; elbow; elbow joint; human elbow

Classified under:

Nouns denoting body parts

Hypernyms ("elbow" is a kind of...):

ginglymoid joint; ginglymus; hinge joint (a freely moving joint in which the bones are so articulated as to allow extensive movement in one plane)

Meronyms (parts of "elbow"):

musculus articularis cubiti (a small branch of the triceps that inserts into the capsule of the elbow joint)

crazy bone; funny bone (a point on the elbow where the ulnar nerve passes near the surface; a sharp tingling sensation results when the nerve is knocked against the bone)

Holonyms ("elbow" is a part of...):

arm (a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb)

Derivation:

elbow (shove one's elbow into another person's ribs)

elbow (push one's way with the elbows)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Shove one's elbow into another person's ribs

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "elbow" is one way to...):

nudge; poke at; prod (to push against gently)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

elbow (hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Push one's way with the elbows

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Hypernyms (to "elbow" is one way to...):

jostle; shove (come into rough contact with while moving)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

elbow (hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped)

elbowing (jostling with the elbows)

Credits

 Context examples: 

He saw the question in my eyes, and, putting his finger-tips together and his elbows upon his knees, he explained the situation.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Twice a week for six weeks, the volunteers sprayed a solution of sugar water containing increasing doses of live R. mucosa onto their inner elbows and one additional skin area of their choice.

(Bacteria therapy for eczema shows promise in NIH study, National Institutes of Health)

It is characterized by numerous flesh-colored warty papules on the back of the hands, medial aspect of the feet, knees, and elbows.

(Acrokeratosis Verruciformis, NCI Thesaurus)

A vein that extends along the ulna to the elbow joint.

(Anterior Ulnar Vein, NCI Thesaurus)

The area of the body that is anterior to the elbow.

(Antecubital Region, NCI Thesaurus)

A triangular space on the anterior side of the elbow joint.

(Antecubital Fossa, NCI Thesaurus)

Leaning his elbows upon the stonework, he was deeply plunged in reverie, when in a moment his thoughts were brought back to Villefranche and to the scene before him.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Now, nephew, keep close at my elbow, and have your eyes open and your mouth shut.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The Pinkerton man had tried to push past him, but Gregson had firmly elbowed him back.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)