claviform

Meanings

Adjective

• Larger at the tip than at the base; club-shaped.
• Shaped like a nail.
• Key-shaped.

Noun

• An image or symbol which is club-shaped, that is, larger at the tip than at the base.

Origin

• The adjective is derived from Latin clāvifōrmis, from Latin clāva (from Proto-Indo-European *kelh₂-) + -fōrmis (equivalent to -form, -iform). The English word is cognate with French claviforme.
• The noun is probably derived from the adjective.
• From Latin clāvifōrmis (attested since 1677), from Latin clāvus, from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kleh₂w-, + -fōrmis, equivalent to -form, -iform.
• From or cognate to Latin clāvifōrmis (documented since at least 1844), from Latin clāvis (either from Ancient Greek κλείς, or directly from its etymon Proto-Indo-European *(s)kleh₂w-) + -fōrmis, equivalent to -form, -iform.