I. ˈdȯrsəl, ˈdȯ(ə)s- adjective
Etymology: Late Latin dorsalis, from Latin dorsum back + -alis -al
1.
a. : belonging to or situated near or on the back of an animal or of one of its parts — opposed to ventral
b. chiefly Britain : thoracic
c. of echinoderms and coelenterates : aboral
d. : having or forming an elongated ridge suggestive of an animal's back : situated on such a part
a dorsal gun turret
e. : placed or worn on a human back
2. botany
a. : abaxial
b. : belonging to the upper surface of a creeping dorsiventral structure (as a thallus)
3. : articulated with a part of the tongue posterior to the tip ; specifically : articulated with a part of the tongue posterior to that employed in a palatal articulation
II. noun
( -s )
1. : a dorsally located part ; especially : thoracic vertebra
2. : a dorsal sound
3.
[Medieval Latin dorsale, from neuter of Late Latin dorsalis, adjective]
: dossal