pastern

noun

pas·​tern ˈpa-stərn How to pronounce pastern (audio)
1
: a part of the foot of an equine extending from the fetlock to the top of the hoof see horse illustration
2
: a part of the leg of an animal other than an equine that corresponds to the pastern

Word History

Etymology

Middle French pasturon, from pasture pastern, from Old French empasturer to hobble (a horse), from pasture tether, modification of Late Latin (chorda) pastoria, from Latin, feminine of pastorius of a herdsman, from pastor herdsman — more at pastor

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pastern was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near pastern

paster

pastern

Pasternak

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Cite this Entry

“Pastern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pastern. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

pastern

noun
pas·​tern ˈpas-ˈtərn How to pronounce pastern (audio)
: the part of the foot of a horse between the fetlock and the top of the hoof
also : the corresponding part of some other four-footed animals

Medical Definition

pastern

noun
pas·​tern ˈpas-tərn How to pronounce pastern (audio)
1
: a part of the foot of an equine extending from the fetlock to the top of the hoof
2
: a part of the leg of an animal other than an equine that corresponds to the pastern
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