n 1  :  a usu. translucent somewhat elastic tissue that composes most of the skeleton of vertebrate embryos and except for a small number of structures (as some joints, respiratory passages, and the external ear) is replaced by bone during ossification in the higher vertebrates  2  :  a part or structure composed of cartilage .
 
   
 
Similar sounding terms:  car·di·al·gia  car·di·ol·o·gy 
 
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