What does "dorsal" mean?

Dorsal: (Bot.) (a) Pertaining to the surface naturally inferior, as of a leaf. (b) Pertaining to the surface naturally superior, as of a creeping hepatic moss. Dorsal vessel (Zoöl.), a central pulsating blood vessel along the back of insects, acting as a heart.

Additional senses

  1. 2.A hanging, usually of rich stuff, at the back of a throne, or of an altar, or in any similar position.

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