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Glite Dictionary
heelbone

heelbone

4.6
A large bone at the back of the foot that forms the heel
  • noun
  • /ˈhiːlboʊn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : hueso del talón
  • The doctor confirmed that the fracture was in the heelbone and recommended a cast for six weeks.

Examples

  • An X-ray showed a small spur on his heelbone, which was causing him discomfort.

  • After her fall, she limped heavily because her heelbone was bruised.

  • Ouch! I landed hard on my heelbone!

  • The doctor examined her heelbone for any fractures.

  • An X-ray showed a small spur on his heelbone, which was causing him discomfort.

  • The doctor confirmed that the fracture was in the heelbone and recommended a cast for six weeks.

  • After her fall, she limped heavily because her heelbone was bruised.

Synonyms

calcaneus
vsheelbone
  • Specialized
1 9.0

Large bone at the back of the foot that forms the heel

is the common anatomical name for the same bone
os tarsi fibulare
vsheelbone
  • Specialized
9.9

A large bone at the back of the foot that forms the heel

is the common English term rather than this technical name
calcaneum
vsheelbone
  • Specialized
8.4

A large bone at the back of the foot that forms the heel

is specific to humans rather than covering many mammal species

Surface Forms

heelbone singular
heelbones plural

Morphology

heelbone = heel + bone (transparent) = heel + bone

The compound directly denotes the bone of the heel using two common nouns, a meaning easily inferred by learners.

Etymology

Heelbone comes from the two simple parts heel and bone, with heel from an old English word for 'heel'. So it literally means the 'bone of the heel' and that helps you remember it is the large bone at the back of the foot.