[pel.vis] n, pl pel.vis.es or pel.ves [NL, fr. L, basin; perh. akin to OE & ON full cup] (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