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Glite Dictionary
piriform

piriform

8.6
A thing that is shaped like a pear, wider at the bottom and narrower at the top
  • adjective
  • /ˈpɪrɪfɔrm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : piriforme
  • The vase has a piriform body that widens at the base and narrows at the top.

Examples

  • Some birds lay piriform eggs that are wider at one end than the other.

  • The scientist described the organ as piriform due to its distinctive shape.

  • This piriform shape looks beautiful!

  • The piriform vase is stunning.

  • The vase has a piriform body that widens at the base and narrows at the top.

  • The scientist described the organ as piriform due to its distinctive shape.

  • Some birds lay piriform eggs that are wider at one end than the other.

Synonyms

pear-shaped
vspiriform
2 3.0

A rounded shape wider at the bottom and narrower at the top

is the same meaning expressed as a single lexical term rather than a phrase
pyriform
vspiriform
8.9

Shaped like a pear with a wider bottom and a narrower top

is identical in meaning but exists as an alternate form

Compounds

piriform area
  • Specialized
9.5

A pear-shaped part of the brain that processes smells

piriform lobe
  • Specialized
9.8

A pear-shaped part of the brain that helps you smell

How Pear-Shaped

piriform
  • Specialized
8.6
tapered
1 4.5
oval
38 1.0
round
273 1.0

Surface Forms

piriform positive

Morphology

piriform = pear (semi-transparent) = piri + form

The concept 'pear-shaped' is clear, but the first element is a Latin combining form ('piri-') not identical to the English word 'pear', so learners may not automatically connect the parts.

Etymology

The word piriform comes from Latin words pirus 'pear' and forma 'shape'. That's why piriform describes something that is 'pear-shaped', wider at one end and narrower at the other.