Forelimb - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A forelimb is an animal's front limb, such as an arm, wing, or flipper, used for movement, grasping, or other functions. It is found in vertebrates like mammals, birds, and reptiles.
Definition:
The front limb of a quadruped, such as an arm or wing in vertebrates.
Synonyms:
front leg, arm, wing, appendage
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
hindlimb, rear limb
Common Collocations:
strong forelimb, muscular forelimb, injured forelimb, forelimb movement, forelimb function
Derivatives:
forelimbs, forelimbed
Usage Tips:
Use "forelimb" when referring to the front limbs of animals; avoid for humans (use "arm" instead).
Common Phrases:
powerful forelimbs, forelimb strength, forelimb coordination
Etymology:
Derived from "fore-" (front) + "limb," first used in the early 19th century for anatomical description.
Examples:
- 1. The dog injured its forelimb while jumping over the fence.
- 2. Birds use their forelimbs as wings to fly efficiently.
- 3. The horse's strong forelimbs help it gallop at high speeds.
- 4. Scientists study dinosaur fossils to understand forelimb evolution.