Definition

Noun (plural, formal/technical): The rounded, fleshy anatomical structures at the lower posterior part of the human torso, formed primarily by the gluteal muscles and underlying fat, upon which a person sits; the buttocks.

Usage

The word "nates" is a formal, technical, or euphemistic term used primarily in medical, anatomical, and scientific contexts. It is less common in everyday speech, where terms like "buttocks" or informal words are more frequent. It is always used in the plural form.

Examples

• Anatomical Description:

  • The injection should be administered in the upper outer quadrant of the nates.
  • The patient reported pain in the left nates following the fall.

• Formal/Euphemistic Use:

  • The sculpture carefully delineated the form of the nates.

Advanced Usage

• Anatomical Reference: In clinical notes, a physician might write: "Contusion observed on both nates."
• Comparative Anatomy: The term can be used in zoological or evolutionary contexts, e.g., "The nates in primates are adapted for sitting."

Variants and Related Words

• Gluteus (noun): The scientific name for the major muscles (gluteus maximus, medius, minimus) that form the nates.
• Buttocks (noun): The most common neutral term for this body part.
• Posterior (noun): A polite and clinical synonym for the buttocks.
• Rump (noun): Often used for animals but can be a mild informal term for humans.

Synonyms

• Buttocks
• Rear
• Posterior
• Derrière (euphemistic)
• Seat (euphemistic, as in "take a seat")

Antonyms

There are no direct antonyms for this specific body part. Conceptual opposites might include anterior (front) or ventral surface.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• To save one's own nates: A humorous, formal-sounding variant of "to save one's own skin/neck," meaning to avoid blame or danger.
  • His testimony was designed purely to save his own nates.
• A pain in the nates: A formal or jocular version of "a pain in the neck/butt," meaning an annoying person or thing.
  • The new filing system is a real pain in the nates.

Noun

1. the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
   • he deserves a good kick in the butt
   • are you going to sit on your fanny and do nothing?