quadriceps

[ kwod-ruh-seps ]

/ ˈkwɒd rəˌsɛps /

Save This Word!

noun, plural quad·ri·ceps·es

[kwod-ruh-sep-siz], /ˈkwɒd rəˌsɛp sɪz/, quad·ri·ceps.Anatomy.

a large muscle in front of the thigh, the action of which extends the leg or bends the hip joint.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of quadriceps

1830–40; <New Latin, equivalent to quadri-quadri- + -ceps;see biceps

OTHER WORDS FROM quadriceps

quad·ri·cip·i·tal

[kwod-ruh-sip-i-tl], /ˌkwɒd rəˈsɪp ɪ tl/, adjective

Words nearby quadriceps

quadriad, quadric, quadricentenary, quadricentennial, quadricep, quadriceps, quadric surface, quadricycle, quadriennial, quadriennium, quadrifid

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use quadriceps in a sentence

It’s pretty obvious that your quadriceps and calves will be weaker right after you run 100 miles.
What It Takes to Run a Mountain-Ultra-Trail Race|Alex Hutchinson|June 27, 2021|Outside Online
The 32-year-old revealed in May that the injury that hampered him early in the season, when he regularly sat out the second game of back-to-backs, was a torn quadriceps.
A Wizards playoff primer as they prepare to face the Sixers|Scott Allen|May 21, 2021|Washington Post
Most recently, the winger recovered from a quadriceps injury, which undermined his loan to Swansea City in the English second division, ended his prospects of a permanent move overseas and prompted a premature return to Washington.
Paul Arriola — finally healthy — appears ready to make his return for a struggling D.C. United|Steven Goff|May 12, 2021|Washington Post
Backup point guard Ish Smith missed nearly seven weeks with a quadriceps injury.
Wizards rookie Deni Avdija has hairline fracture in right leg, effectively ending his season|Ava Wallace|April 23, 2021|Washington Post

Rui Hachimura returned, too, after missing two games with right shoulder tightness, and backup center Robin Lopez played despite being a game-time decision with right quadriceps tightness.
Bradley Beal returns, and the full-strength Wizards overwhelm Magic|Ava Wallace|April 8, 2021|Washington Post
The tendon of the quadriceps femoris, at once drew the patella at least two inches above its normal position.
Report on Surgery to the Santa Clara County Medical Society|Joseph Bradford Cox
Quadriceps, kwod′ri-seps, n. the great muscle which extends the leg upon the thigh.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R)|Various
The chief physiological antagonistics of the glutei are the quadriceps femoris and tensor fascia lata.
Lameness of the Horse|John Victor Lacroix
Upon tapping, the quadriceps tendon caused a brisk marked contraction of thigh muscles, followed by mild clonus.
Studies in Forensic Psychiatry|Bernard Glueck
The quadriceps femoris is usually ruptured close to its insertion into the patella, in the attempt to avoid falling backwards.
Manual of Surgery|Alexis Thomson and Alexander Miles

British Dictionary definitions for quadriceps

quadriceps

/ (ˈkwɒdrɪˌsɛps) /

noun plural -cepses (-ˌsɛpsɪz) or -ceps

anatomy a large four-part muscle of the front of the thigh, which extends the leg

Derived forms of quadriceps

quadricipital (ˌkwɒdrɪˈsɪpɪtəl), adjective

Word Origin for quadriceps

C19: New Latin, from quadri- + -ceps as in biceps

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for quadriceps

quadriceps

[ kwŏd′rĭ-sĕps′ ]

The large, four-part muscle at the front of the thigh that arises in the hip and pelvis and inserts as a strong tendon below the kneecap (patella). The quadriceps straightens and helps stabilize the knee.