Meaning & use
palpebra
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Meaning
nouncountabletechnicalmedical
The thin fold of skin that covers and protects the eye; the eyelid.
Grammar: Countable noun: one palpebra, two palpebrae. The plural is rare in everyday use.
Patterns
- the upper palpebra
- the lower palpebra
The surgeon carefully examined the palpebra for any abnormalities.
In anatomical terms, the palpebra is a complex structure with several layers.
Inflammation of the palpebra can cause discomfort and redness.
Word forms
| plural | palpebrae |
|---|
Common combinations
- upper palpebra
- The upper palpebra protects the cornea from injury.
- lower palpebra
- The lower palpebra helps spread tears across the eye.
- palpebra inflammation
- Palpebra inflammation may be a sign of infection.
Synonyms and how they differ
- eyelid
- The everyday word for the same body part; use eyelid in general conversation and palpebra only in medical or anatomical writing.
Word family
- palpebral adjective
- Relating to the eyelid, as in 'palpebral fissure'.
Practice
In which context would you most likely hear the word 'palpebra'?
Choose one answer.
Palpebra is a technical term for eyelid, used in medical and anatomical settings. In everyday talk, people say eyelid, so a casual conversation about makeup would use that word instead.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “palpebra”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.