stapes
noun
sta·pes ˈstā-(ˌ)pēz 
plural stapes or stapedes ˈstā-pə-ˌdēz
: the innermost ossicle of the middle ear of mammals
called also stirrup
see ear illustration
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Two bones from the lower jaw migrated to the middle ear and joined the stapes, forming a chain of three bones. 
David George Haskell, Wired, 8 Mar. 2022 The biggest muscle is the gluteus maximus in your buttocks; the smallest is the stapedius, which stabilizes the smallest bone in your body — the stapes bone of the middle ear. Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2022 Another becomes the incus bone that connects the malleus to the stapes. David George Haskell, Wired, 8 Mar. 2022 At first, the stapes was a stout shaft, both conveying groundborne vibrations to the ear and strengthening the skull. David George Haskell, Wired, 8 Mar. 2022 Similarly, The Row -- Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen's label designing luxuriously elevated stapes -- will show in Paris for the first time since 2016. Leah Dolan, CNN, 28 Feb. 2022
David George Haskell, Wired, 8 Mar. 2022 The biggest muscle is the gluteus maximus in your buttocks; the smallest is the stapedius, which stabilizes the smallest bone in your body — the stapes bone of the middle ear. Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2022 Another becomes the incus bone that connects the malleus to the stapes. David George Haskell, Wired, 8 Mar. 2022 At first, the stapes was a stout shaft, both conveying groundborne vibrations to the ear and strengthening the skull. David George Haskell, Wired, 8 Mar. 2022 Similarly, The Row -- Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen's label designing luxuriously elevated stapes -- will show in Paris for the first time since 2016. Leah Dolan, CNN, 28 Feb. 2022 Word History
Etymology
New Latin staped-, stapes, from Medieval Latin, stirrup, alteration of Late Latin stapia
First Known Use
1615, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
stapes
noun
sta·pes ˈstā-(ˌ)pēz
plural stapes or stapedes stə-ˈpē-ˌdēz
: the innermost of the chain of three ossicles in the middle ear of a mammal having the form of a stirrup, a base occupying the oval window, and a head connected with the incus
called also stirrup