anterior naris
- noun
- /ænˈtɪr.i.ər ˈnɛər.ɪs/
- Specialized
- During the medical examination, the doctor inspected the anterior naris for any signs of infection.
Examples
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Obstruction of the anterior naris can make breathing difficult for patients.
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A cotton swab was gently inserted into the anterior naris to collect a sample.
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The anterior naris is crucial for breathing.
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Each anterior naris plays a role in filtering air.
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During the examination, the doctor noted that the anterior naris was clear of any obstruction.
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Each anterior naris helps to filter and humidify the air we breathe.
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Patients with swelling in the anterior naris may experience difficulty in breathing.
Synonyms
One of the two small openings in the nose that let air in and out
One of the two openings in the nose that let air in while breathing
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'nostril' is directly derivable from combining 'anterior' (toward the front) with 'naris' (nasal opening); a learner who knows both constituents can infer it. This is a literal anatomical compound with compositional semantics and parallels in other languages, so it is immediately interpretable.
Etymology
Anterior naris comes from old Latin words: anterior meaning 'front' and naris meaning 'nostril'. So anterior naris simply refers to the front opening of the nose, which is why doctors use it to mean a nostril.