appendix

UK: əˈpɛndɪks | US: əˈpɛndɪks

Definition
  1. n. 1. A section of supplementary material at the end of a book or document.

  2. n. 2. (Anatomy) A small, tube-shaped sac attached to the large intestine (also called vermiform appendix).

Structure
ap <to>pend <hang>ix <noun suffix>
Etymology

appendix = ap<to> + pend<hang> + ix<noun suffix>

  • ap- (variant of ad-, meaning "to" in Latin)
  • pend (from Latin pendere, meaning "to hang")
  • -ix (Latin noun suffix, often indicating a connection or result)

Etymology Origin:
The word appendix originates from Latin appendere ("to hang upon"), combining ad- (toward) + pendere (to hang). It originally referred to something "attached" or "hanging from" a main structure, later specialized in anatomy (16th century) and literature (17th century). The dual meanings reflect the concept of an auxiliary addition—whether a bodily organ or textual supplement.

Examples
  1. The book includes an appendix with detailed research data.

  2. Surgeons removed her inflamed appendix in an emergency procedure.

  3. Refer to Appendix B for a glossary of technical terms.

  4. The appendix serves no known vital function in humans.

  5. He appended a note to the report as an appendix.