noun

malleus

MAL-ee-us

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Malleus (noun) means In anatomy, the small hammer-shaped bone in the middle ear. Example: “The malleus is one of three tiny bones that carry sound across the middle ear.”

noun

technical In anatomy, the small hammer-shaped bone in the middle ear.

"The malleus is one of three tiny bones that carry sound across the middle ear."

"A doctor can sometimes see the malleus through the eardrum."

"Damage to the malleus can affect how well sound reaches the inner ear."

How to use malleus

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe malleus is the tiny hammer-shaped bone in your middle ear that passes sound along to the next bone.

When to use it

This is a technical anatomical term, used mainly in medical and scientific contexts.

Memory tip

The everyday English name is hammer, which matches the Latin meaning of malleus exactly.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

the malleus and incus damage to the malleus the malleus bone movement of the malleus

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ is one of three tiny bones that carry sound across the middle ear.

Etymology

Malleus comes straight from Latin, where it meant hammer or mallet. It is a doublet of the English word maul, meaning the two words share the same ultimate root.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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hammer

Related words

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Rhymes for malleus

Zeus nucleus Perseus Orpheus Proteus Theseus Amadeus Morpheus Odysseus Thaddeus Prometheus

See all rhymes for malleus →

Frequently asked questions

What does malleus mean?

The malleus is the small hammer-shaped bone in the middle ear that helps carry sound vibrations inward.

Why is it called malleus?

It takes its name from the Latin word for hammer, because of its hammer-like shape.

What is another name for the malleus?

It is commonly called the hammer in everyday English, alongside its Latin name malleus.

What is the meaning of malleus?

"malleus" (noun) means in anatomy, the small hammer-shaped bone in the middle ear.

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