hippocampus

Definition

A mythological creature with the front head and forelimbs of a horse and the rear of a fish.

Etymology

From Late Latin hippocampus, from Ancient Greek ἱππόκαμπος (hippókampos, from ῐ̔́ππος (hĭ́ppos, “horse”) + κάμπος (kámpos, “sea-monster”)). The anatomy sense is so named from its resemblance to the seahorse. By surface analysis, hippo- + campus.

Example Sentences

• "Holonyms: limbic system < brain < central nervous system, CNS"
• "The hippocampus is central to the laying down of memories."