hippocampus

English

noun
Definitions
  • (mythological creature) A mythological creature with the front head and forelimbs of a horse and the rear of a dolphin.
  • (anatomy) A part of the brain located inside the temporal lobe, consisting mainly of grey matter. It is a component of the limbic system and plays a role in memory and emotion.

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin hippocampus derived from Ancient Greek ἱππόκαμπος, ῐ̔́ππος (horse) + Ancient Greek κάμπος (sea-monster, sea monster).

Origin

Ancient Greek

κάμπος

Gloss

sea-monster, sea monster

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms