fossette

A baby smiles, revealing a small fossette in each cheek.

Definition

Noun:
- Small depression: A "fossette" is a small, shallow hollow or depression, such as a dimple.
- Anatomical term: In anatomy, it refers to a small pit or fossa on a bodily surface, like the dimple on the cheek.

Usage Examples

Noun:
- She smiled, and the fossette on her left cheek deepened. (The small dimple became more visible.)
- The surgeon noted a fossette on the patient's chin during the examination. (A small depression was observed.)
- The fossil had a distinct fossette near its eye socket. (A shallow pit in the bone structure.)

Advanced Usage

"fossette of the cheek": a specific anatomical term for the dimple that appears on the cheek when smiling.
- The child's fossette of the cheek was a charming feature. (The small depression on the cheek was endearing.)
"fossette sign": in medical contexts, a physical sign indicating a small depression, often used in diagnosing certain conditions.
- The doctor looked for the fossette sign to confirm the diagnosis. (The small pit indicated a specific medical finding.)

Variants and Related Words

Fossula (n): a small fossa or pit, often used interchangeably with "fossette" in anatomy.
- The fossula on the bone was barely visible. (The small pit was hard to see.)
Fossate (adj): having a fossa or pit.
- The fossate structure of the skull was unusual. (The skull had a pit-like formation.)

Synonyms

Dimple: a small, natural depression on the skin, especially on the cheeks or chin.
Pit: a small hollow in a surface.
Fossa: a shallow depression, especially in anatomy.

Related Idioms

Not in common idioms: "Fossette" is a rare, technical term and does not appear in standard idiomatic expressions.

Phrasal Verbs