dorsal

The American Dictionary and Cyclopedia · 1910 · p. 16

& 8. [Low Lat. dorsal is, from Lat. dorsum the back.] A. As adjective : 1. Ord. Lang. Of or pertaining to the back. 2. Bot .: Belonging to the back. The dorsal part of the carpel corresponds to the external face of the main vein of the carpellary leaf. B. As subst.: A dorsal fin. "The first dorsal is black."-Pennant.