suspensory
/səs'pensəri/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective:
- Serving to suspend, hold up, or support something: Describes something that functions to keep an object or body part in a lifted or hanging position.
- Relating to or causing suspension: Pertaining to the act of suspending or the state of being suspended.
Noun:
- A supportive bandage or device: A bandage, ligament, or appliance designed to support and elevate a dependent part of the body, such as an injured limb or a pendulous organ.
Usage and Examples
Adjective:
- The suspensory ligaments of the lens help it change shape for focusing.
- The engineer designed a new suspensory cable system for the bridge.
Noun:
- After the injury, the athlete wore a knee suspensory for support.
- The veterinarian applied a suspensory to the horse's injured leg.
Advanced Usage
- Anatomical Context: In anatomy, "suspensory" often describes ligaments that support organs. For example, the "suspensory ligament of the ovary" or the "suspensory ligaments of the breast (Cooper's ligaments)".
- Veterinary Medicine: A "suspensory ligament" is a critical structure in a horse's leg. Injury to it is termed a "suspensory ligament injury".
Variants and Related Words
- Suspend (verb): To hang or attach from above so as to allow free movement.
- Suspension (noun): The act of suspending or the state of being suspended.
- Suspensory Bandage (noun phrase): A specific type of bandage designed for support and elevation, as referenced in the provided context.
Synonyms
- Supportive
- Supporting
- Elevating
Related Phrases and Compounds
- Suspensory apparatus: The collective structures (ligaments, tendons) that support a joint or organ.
- To be placed in suspensory: (Formal/Legal) Refers to something being temporarily inactive or pending a decision.
Noun
- a bandage of elastic fabric applied to uplift a dependant part (as the scrotum or a pendulous breast)