septum
septum Lexical Profile
septum Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A dividing wall, membrane, or cartilaginous partition separating two cavities or masses of tissue in an organism, especially the nasal septum between the nostrils or the muscular wall between the chambers of the heart.
"The surgeon performed a routine procedure to straighten his deviated nasal septum and improve his breathing."
In botany, mycology, and zoology, an internal cross-wall or dividing partition within a plant ovary, spore, fungal hypha, coral skeleton, or chambered shell.
"Under the microscope, the mycologist observed distinct septa dividing the fungal hyphae into individual cellular compartments."
In chemistry and laboratory equipment, a pierceable rubber or silicone membrane used to seal a vial or chromatography injector port while allowing a syringe needle to pass through without introducing air.
"The technician injected the liquid sample directly through the silicone septum into the gas chromatograph."
Word Nuance & Usage
In scientific and anatomical writing, the Latin plural "septa" is preferred, though the regularized "septums" is occasionally heard in everyday speech.
• Rhymes for septum
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 17th century from Latin saeptum ('enclosure, fence, or partition'), the neuter past participle of saepire ('to enclose or hedge in'), derived from saepes ('hedge').