I. ˈfäsə, ˈfȯsə noun
( plural fos·sae -ˌsē, -ˌsī)
Etymology: Latin, cavity, ditch, trench, from feminine of fossus, past participle of fodere to dig — more at bed
anatomy : pit , cavity , depression
the temporal fossa of the skull
the fossa of the vena cava
the nasal fossae
II. noun
Etymology: Malagasy
1. also fous·sa ˈfüsə -s
a. : a slender lithe mammal ( Cryptoprocta ferox ) that is the largest carnivore of Madagascar and is intermediate in some respects between cats and civets although classed with the latter
b. : fanaloka
2. capitalized
[New Latin, from Malagasy]
: a monotypic genus of Malagasy civets closely related to the Asiatic palm civets and including only the fanaloka