delta, delt-
(Greek: triangular; fourth letter [Δ] of the Greek alphabet)
delt, delts
A deltoid muscle which is often used in the plural: "His delts are aching from excessive exercise."
delta (s), deltas (pl)
1. The fourth letter of the Greek alphabet.
2. An object shaped like a triangle.
3. Usually a triangular alluvial deposit at the mouth of a river.
4. A similar deposit at the mouth of a tidal inlet, caused by tidal currents.
A Greek letter sits at the mouth of many rivers. Noticing the resemblance between the island formed by sediment at the mouth of a river; such as, the Nile and the triangular shape of their letter delta, the Greeks gave the name "delta" to such an island.
The English language incorporated this sense from Greek, although the word delta appeared first in English as the name of the letter, in a work written possibly around 1200 A.D. The sense “alluvial deposit” is not recorded until 1555 A.D., when delta was used with reference to the Nile River delta.
deltaic, deltic
Relating to, or like, a delta.
deltiologist
Someone who collects post cards. There is no connection to the "deltic muscle".
deltiology
The collection and study of postcards; and has no reference to the deltic muscle. It comes from Greek deltion, "little writing tablet" and from Greek deltos, "writing tablet".
This word has nothing to do with the other words in this delta unit.
deltoid
1. In the shape of delta, the fourth letter in the Greek alphabet.
2. A capital delta is a triangle; so, deltoid means triangular in shape or configuration.
3. The large muscle, roughly triangular in shape, that stretches from the clavicle (collarbone) to the humerus (the long bone in the upper arm) and so covers the shoulder. When the deltoid is contracted (flexed), it moves the arm away from the side of the body.
deltoidal
The shape of a Greek capital delta (Δ); triangular.
subdeltoid
1. Beneath the deltoid, the large muscle that stretches from the clavicle (collarbone) to the humerus (the long bone in the upper arm) and so covers the shoulder.
2. Beneath the deltoid muscle; denoting a bursa (fibrous sac, pouch, or cavity).
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