Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun Either of two large flat triangular muscles running from the base of the occiput to the middle of the back that support and make it possible to raise the head and shoulders.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A large superficial muscle of the back of the neck and adjacent parts.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun anatomy A large vertebrate skeletal muscle divided into an ascending, descending, and transverse portion, attaching the neck and central spine to the outer extremity of the scapula; it functions in scapular elevation, adduction, and depression.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun either of two flat triangular muscles of the shoulder and upper back that are involved in moving the shoulders and arms

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[New Latin, from Late Latin trapezium, trapezium (from the shape of the muscles paired); see trapezium.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Unknown, probably has similar roots as other trap- terms, being related to Ancient Greek terms like τράπεζα (trapeza).

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word trapezius.

Examples

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.