lachrymal adjective & noun. ['lakrɪm(ǝ)l] Also (now the usual form in Anatomy & Medicine etc.) lacrimal, lacrymal. LME.
[medieval Latin lachrymalis, lacrimalis, from Latin lacrima (earlier lacruma) tear, rel. to Greek dakru tear: see -AL².]
A. adjective.
1. Anatomy & Physiology. Connected with the secretion of tears; pertaining to or associated with an organ etc. involved in this process. LME.
lacrimal bone Anatomy a small bone forming part of the orbit. lacrimal CARUNCLE.

2. Of or pertaining to tears; occas., characterized by, or indicative of, weeping. Of a vase: (conjectured to be) intended to contain tears. E19.
b. noun.
1. a. A lacrimal organ. Now only in pl. Now rare. LME.
b. Anatomy. A lacrimal bone. L19.

2. In pl. Fits of weeping. M18.

3. = LACHRYMATORY noun 1. M18.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲