noun

le os

bone

C’est une partie dure à l’intérieur du corps qui aide à soutenir et protéger les organes.

Definition & meaning

The word os primarily refers to the hard, mineralized connective tissue that forms the skeleton of vertebrates. It provides structural support for the body, protects internal organs, and allows for movement through muscular attachment.

In a figurative sense, the word is often used in the expression tomber sur un os, which means to encounter an unexpected difficulty or a major obstacle while performing a task. In this context, it is synonymous with a "snag" or a "hitch." It can also describe a person who is very thin, as in the phrase n'avoir que la peau et les os (to be nothing but skin and bones).

Grammar & Word origin

The word os is a masculine noun. Its grammatical behavior is notable for its pronunciation:

In the singular, un os, the final "s" is usually pronounced (/ɔs/).
In the plural, des os, the "s" is traditionally silent (/o/), although some modern speakers may pronounce it in certain regions.

The word originates from the Latin term os (genitive ossis), which has the same meaning. This Latin root is also the source of various English words related to bones, such as "ossify" or "osseous."