lachrymal

adjective

lach·​ry·​mal ˈla-krə-məl How to pronounce lachrymal (audio)
variants or lacrimal
1
usually lacrimal : of, relating to, or being glands that produce tears
2
: of, relating to, or marked by tears

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web For the next two centuries, scientists mapped the anatomy of crying, leaving their names, like tiny explorer’s flags, on the topography of the lachrymal system. Maureen Stanton, Longreads, 10 Aug. 2020 For the next two centuries, scientists mapped the anatomy of crying, leaving their names, like tiny explorer’s flags, on the topography of the lachrymal system. Maureen Stanton, Longreads, 10 Aug. 2020 For the next two centuries, scientists mapped the anatomy of crying, leaving their names, like tiny explorer’s flags, on the topography of the lachrymal system. Maureen Stanton, Longreads, 10 Aug. 2020 For the next two centuries, scientists mapped the anatomy of crying, leaving their names, like tiny explorer’s flags, on the topography of the lachrymal system. Maureen Stanton, Longreads, 10 Aug. 2020 For the next two centuries, scientists mapped the anatomy of crying, leaving their names, like tiny explorer’s flags, on the topography of the lachrymal system. Maureen Stanton, Longreads, 10 Aug. 2020 For the next two centuries, scientists mapped the anatomy of crying, leaving their names, like tiny explorer’s flags, on the topography of the lachrymal system. Maureen Stanton, Longreads, 10 Aug. 2020 For the next two centuries, scientists mapped the anatomy of crying, leaving their names, like tiny explorer’s flags, on the topography of the lachrymal system. Maureen Stanton, Longreads, 10 Aug. 2020 For the next two centuries, scientists mapped the anatomy of crying, leaving their names, like tiny explorer’s flags, on the topography of the lachrymal system. Maureen Stanton, Longreads, 10 Aug. 2020 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lachrymal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English lacrimale, from Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French lacrymal, from Medieval Latin lacrimalis, from Latin lacrima tear, from Old Latin dacrima, probably from Greek dakry — more at tear entry 3

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lachrymal was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near lachrymal

Cite this Entry

“Lachrymal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lachrymal. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.

Kids Definition

lachrymal

adjective
lach·​ry·​mal
variants or lacrimal
1
usually lacrimal : of, relating to, or being the glands that produce tears
2
: of, relating to, or marked by tears
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


The Great British Vocabulary Quiz

  • union jack speech bubble
  • Named after Sir Robert Peel, what are British police called?
Name That Thing

You know what it looks like… but what is it called?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Universal Daily Crossword

A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.

TAKE THE QUIZ