malleus

noun, plural mal·le·i [mal-ee-ahy] /ˈmæl iˌaɪ/. Anatomy.

1. the outermost of a chain of three small bones in the middle ear of mammals.Also called hammer.Compare incus(def 1), stapes.

noun plural -lei (-lɪˌaɪ)

1. the outermost and largest of the three small bones in the middle ear of mammalsNontechnical name: hammer See also incus, stapes

n.ear bone, 1660s, from Latin malleus “a hammer” (see mallet). So called for its shape. n. pl. mal•le•i (măl′ē-ī′)

1. The hammer-shaped bone that is the outermost of the three auditory ossicles, articulating with the body of the incus.hammer

Plural mallei (măl′ē-ī′)

1. The hammer-shaped bone that is the largest and outermost of the three small bones (ossicles) in the middle ear.