protuberant

adjective

pro·​tu·​ber·​ant prō-ˈtü-b(ə-)rənt How to pronounce protuberant (audio)
-ˈtyü-
Synonyms of protuberantnext
: thrusting out from a surrounding or adjacent surface often as a rounded mass : prominent
protuberant eyes
protuberantly adverb

Examples of protuberant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
His eyesight was failing and his eyes were bloodshot and protuberant. — Hermione Lee, The New York Review of Books, 21 Sep. 2022 Hours and hours of rubbing abrasive pumice across the roughened marble resulted in the lustrous surfaces of the sculpture, including the high sheen of Pan’s taut chest and ribs, muscular right arm, and protuberant belly. — William A. Wallace, WSJ, 28 Jan. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin protuberant-, protuberans, present participle of protuberare to bulge out, from Latin pro- forward + tuber excrescence, swelling; perhaps akin to Latin tumēre to swell — more at thumb entry 1

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of protuberant was in 1646

Dictionary Entries Near protuberant

protuberancy

protuberant

protuberate

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Protuberant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/protuberant. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

protuberant

adjective
pro·​tu·​ber·​ant prō-ˈt(y)ü-b(ə-)rənt How to pronounce protuberant (audio)
: bulging beyond the surrounding surface

Medical Definition

protuberant

adjective
pro·​tu·​ber·​ant -b(ə-)rənt How to pronounce protuberant (audio)
: bulging beyond the surrounding or adjacent surface : prominent
protuberant eyes

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