nates, n. pl. Anat. and Med.
(ˈneɪtiːz)
[a. L. natēs, pl. of natis rump, buttock.]
1. The buttocks, haunches.
| 1706 in Phillips (ed. Kersey). 1754–64 Smellie Midwifery III. 101, I had several cases in which the nates presented. 1804 Abernethy Surg. Obs. 29 An adipose tumour growing beneath the skin of the nates. 1876 Gross Dis. Bladder, etc. 261 A piece of oil-cloth, placed under the nates, will more effectually secure this object. |
2. The anterior and larger pair of the optic lobes (corpora quadrigemina) of the brain.
| 1681 tr. Willis' Rem. Med. Wks. Vocab., Nates, two prominences in the brain, so called because in the form of buttocks. 1713 Derham Phys.-Theol. vi. ii. 361 The different magnitude of the Nates, and some other Parts of the Brain, in Beasts. 1756 Gentl. Mag. XXVI. 517/1 The nates too were very large and broad, and near two inches in length. 1840 G. V. Ellis Anat. 47 The anterior pair,—the nates, larger than the posterior. 1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med. VII. 345 The anterior tubercles or nates are connected with the optic tracts. |
3. The umbones of a bivalve shell (Cent. Dict.).