— umbilically , adv.
/um bil"i keuhl/ , adj.
1. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of an umbilicus or umbilical cord.
2. joined together by or as if by an umbilical cord; heavily dependent in a close relationship.
3. adjacent to or located near the navel; central to the abdomen: the umbilical region.
4. serving as or containing a conduit through which power is transferred, esp. to a unit that will be or is designed to be ultimately self-sufficient or independent: an umbilical cable for launching a rocket; an umbilical plug for starting jet engines.
n.
5. See umbilical cord .
[ 1535-45; umbilicalis, equiv. to L umbilic ( us ) (see UMBILICUS) + -alis -AL 1 ]