n.
Pronunciation: ' pel-v ə s
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural pel · vis · es \ -v ə -s ə z \ or pel · ves \ - ˌ v ē z \
Etymology: New Latin, from Latin, basin; perhaps akin to Old English & Old Norse full cup
Date: 1615
1 : a basin-shaped structure in the skeleton of many vertebrates that is formed by the pelvic girdle and adjoining bones of the spine
2 : the cavity of the pelvis
3 : the funnel-shaped cavity of the kidney into which urine is discharged