dorsal Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective belonging to or on or near the back or upper surface of an animal or organ or part
    • the dorsal fin is the vertical fin on the back of a fish and certain marine mammals
  2. adjective facing away from the axis of an organ or organism
    abaxial.
    • the abaxial surface of a leaf is the underside or side facing away from the stem

WordNet

Dor"sal adjective
Etymology
F. dorsal, LL. dorsalis, fr. L. dorsualis, fr. dorsum back; cf. Gr. , , mountain ridge. Cf. Dorse, Dorsel, Dosel.
Definitions
  1. (Anat.) Pertaining to, or situated near, the back, or dorsum, of an animal or of one of its parts; notal; tergal; neural; as, the dorsal fin of a fish; the dorsal artery of the tongue; -- opposed to ventral.
  2. (Bot.) (a) Pertaining to the surface naturally inferior, as of a leaf. (b) Pertaining to the surface naturally superior, as of a creeping hepatic moss.
Dor"sal noun
Etymology
LL. dorsale, neut. fr. dorsalis. See Dorsal, a.
Definitions
  1. (Fine Arts) A hanging, usually of rich stuff, at the back of a throne, or of an altar, or in any similar position.

Webster 1913