shoulder-blade

The swimmer's shoulder-blade moved smoothly as she completed her stroke.

Definition

Noun: - Anatomical structure: "shoulder-blade" refers to either of the two large, flat, triangular bones located on the upper back, forming the back part of the shoulder. It is also known as the scapula in formal medical terminology.

Usage Examples

• (The specific bone on the back of the shoulder.)
• (The triangular bone in the upper back.)
• (Describing its anatomical role.)

Advanced Usage

• "Shoulder-blade area": the region of the upper back surrounding this bone.
  • Massage the muscles around the shoulder-blade to relieve tension. (Focus on the area near the scapula.)
• "Shoulder-blade fracture": a break in this bone, often from trauma.
  • A shoulder-blade fracture is rare but can occur in high-impact accidents. (A specific injury to the scapula.)

Variants and Related Words

• Shoulder (n): the joint connecting the arm to the torso, including the shoulder-blade.
  • He dislocated his shoulder during the game. (The shoulder joint, not the blade specifically.)
• Blade (n): the flat, broad part of a bone or tool.
  • The blade of the knife was sharp. (A general term for a flat part; not specific to the shoulder.)
• Scapula (n): the medical term for the shoulder-blade.
  • The scapula provides attachment points for several muscles. (The formal anatomical name.)

Synonyms

• Scapula: the scientific name for the shoulder-blade.
  • The scapula is a triangular bone. (Equivalent in meaning but more technical.)
• Shoulder bone: a less precise term sometimes used for the shoulder-blade.
  • He injured his shoulder bone during the accident. (May refer to the shoulder-blade or other bones in the shoulder area.)

Related Idioms

• "A chip on one's shoulder": a feeling of resentment or a tendency to be quarrelsome. (Note: This idiom does not directly use "shoulder-blade" but relates to the shoulder area.)
  • He has a chip on his shoulder about being passed over for promotion. (He is bitter and defensive.)
• "Look over one's shoulder": to be wary or anxious about potential threats.
  • She kept looking over her shoulder during the dark walk home. (She was checking for danger.)

Phrasal Verbs

• None directly formed with "shoulder-blade". However, "shoulder" as a verb can be used:
  • Shoulder (v): to bear a burden or responsibility.

    • He shouldered the blame for the team's failure. (He accepted the responsibility.)