A Closer Look at 'Rami'

In the dictionary entry for "rami," highlighted is the phrase “plural rami,” emphasizing its legitimacy. If there’s any doubt, here’s further evidence:

Credit: merriam-webster.com

When the term "rami" is mentioned, many might instantly think of the American actor Rami Malek, renowned for his Oscar-winning performance as Freddie Mercury in "Bohemian Rhapsody." This thought crossed my mind as I encountered the word on today’s list of rejected terms, courtesy of the Spelling Bee Master. "Rami" is indeed an irregular plural, akin to other words borrowed from Latin, such as "ramus."

Another irregular plural presented in today’s puzzle is "radii," derived from the singular "radius." The reason "radii" was accepted while "rami" was dismissed remains a perplexing mystery.

Delving into Multiple Meanings of 'Rami'

While Merriam-Webster defines "rami" primarily as “a projecting part or elongated process” or “ramification,” it lists five distinct contexts:

a: “the posterior more or less vertical part of the lower jaw on each side which articulates with the skull… or… the entire right or left half of the jaw — used when the jaw has no plainly distinguishable vertical part.”

A visual representation can speak volumes, as they say. Here’s an illustrative example with the ramus clearly labeled:

Art by Henry Vandyke Carter

The rami of the jawbone feature two upper bumps called processes, separated by a small dip known as the mandibular notch. Interestingly, the biblical figure Samson famously used a donkey's jawbone as a weapon, as recounted in Judges 15:16.

b: “one of the branches of the pubis or ischium.”

Don’t be intimidated by these terms; they simply refer to elements of the hip bone. Remember that famous song about bones? The simplest diagram illustrating the rami of the hip is as follows:

Image by Fred the Oyster

c: “either of the two branches of the incus in the mastax of a rotifer.”

You might wonder what an incus or a mastax is. Let’s explore that. Rotifers are tiny aquatic invertebrates often described as “wheel animals.” Here’s a visual representation:

Image: Frank Fox

These creatures are typically found in freshwater environments worldwide. Their mastax functions similarly to the human pharynx, and within it lies the incus, comprised of the rami.

d: “a branch of a nerve” (the dorsal and ventral rami of the spinal nerve roots).

Spinal nerves consist of dorsal (back) and ventral (front) rami. The dorsal ramus carries sensory information to the skin and muscles of the back.

Credit: Mysid (original by Tristanb)

e: “a barb of a feather.”

You’re surely familiar with feathers! Here’s an illustration detailing their anatomy:

Image by Shyamal

Indeed, the dictionary was correct: barbs are rami, with the ramus being the shaft from which the barbules extend. For more intricate details about feather construction, check out Wayne Luallen's article in Global Fisher.

A Surprising Twist: Rami Drops Her Crown

This video features a vocal coach's reaction to Rami Malek’s performance, highlighting the surprising moments that captivated audiences.

'Dord': A Ghost Word

One common inquiry among lexicographers is the possibility of slipping a term into the dictionary. For more on this topic, visit:

www.merriam-webster.com