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Webster 1913 Edition

Dorsal

Dor′sal

,
Adj.
[F.
dorsal
, LL.
dorsalis
, fr. L.
dorsualis
, fr.
dorsum
back; cf. Gr. [GREEK], [GREEK], mountain ridge. Cf.
Dorse
,
Dorsel
,
Dosel
.]
1.
(Anat.)
Pertaining to, or situated near, the back, or dorsum, of an animal or of one of its parts; notal; tergal; neural;
as, the
dorsal
fin of a fish; the
dorsal
artery of the tongue
; – opposed to
ventral
.
2.
(Bot.)
(a)
Pertaining to the surface naturally inferior, as of a leaf.
(b)
Pertaining to the surface naturally superior, as of a creeping hepatic moss.
Dorsal vessel
(Zool.)
,
a central pulsating blood vessel along the back of insects, acting as a heart.

Dor′sal

,
Noun.
[LL.
dorsale
, neut. fr.
dorsalis
. See
Dorsal
,
Adj.
]
(Fine Arts)
A hanging, usually of rich stuff, at the back of a throne, or of an altar, or in any similar position.

Webster 1828 Edition

Dorsal

DORSAL

,
Adj.
[L., the back.] Pertaining to the back; as the dorsal fin of a fish; dorsal awn, in botany.

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