elbow

English

/ˈɛl.bəʊ/, /ˈɛɫ.boʊ/

noun
Definitions
  • (anatomy) The joint between the upper arm and the forearm.
  • (by extension) Any turn or bend like that of the elbow, in a wall, building, coastline, etc.; an angular or jointed part of any structure, such as the raised arm of a chair or sofa, or a short pipe fitting, turning at an angle or bent.
  • (US) A detective.
  • (basketball) Part of a basketball court located at the intersection of the free-throw line and the free-throw lane.
  • A hit with the elbow.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English elbowe inherited from Old English elboga inherited from Proto-Germanic *alinabugô (elbow) compound from English ell + English bow (arch)root from Proto-Indo-European *Heh₃l- (bend, elbow, bow).

Origin

Proto-Indo-European

*Heh₃l-

Gloss

bend, elbow, bow

Concept
Semantic Field

Basic actions and technology

Ontological Category

Action/Process

Kanji

肘

Emoji

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms