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a firm, elastic, flexible type of connective tissue of a translucent whitish or yellowish color; gristle.
a part or structure composed of cartilage.
Contemporary Examples

cartilage in his left knee tore, and everything changed for both Webber and the Kings.
Did NBA Referees Snatch Destiny From The Sacramento Kings? Matt Gallagher June 5, 2012

A hole developed, which had actually been caused by a breaking of a band of cartilage at the front of his hip joint.
Football’s Bloodiest Secret Buzz Bissinger October 27, 2009

Historical Examples

The cartilage connected with the inferior arch of the penultimate centrum is therefore an interhmal cartilage.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume 1 Francis Maitland Balfour

The supraoccipital is formed in cartilage above the exoccipitals.
Form and Function E. S. (Edward Stuart) Russell

It is at first entirely cartilaginous but the cartilage becomes later on mainly replaced by bone.
The Vertebrate Skeleton Sidney H. Reynolds

The nostrils open at the sides, and are separated by a wide piece of cartilage.
The Western World W.H.G. Kingston

The mentomecklians are ossified, but separated by cartilage medially.
Neotropical Hylid Frogs, Genus Smilisca William E. Duellman

Gelatine is obtained from the bones, cartilage, and skin of animals.
Ontario Teachers’ Manuals: Household Management Ministry of Education

Before describing the development of bone it will be well to briefly describe the structure of adult bone and cartilage.
The Vertebrate Skeleton Sidney H. Reynolds

It was a bone, as large as a finger, passed through the cartilage.
Celebrated Travels and Travellers Jules Verne

noun
a tough elastic tissue composing most of the embryonic skeleton of vertebrates. In the adults of higher vertebrates it is mostly converted into bone, remaining only on the articulating ends of bones, in the thorax, trachea, nose, and ears Nontechnical name gristle
n.

early 15c., from Middle French cartilage (16c.) and directly from Latin cartilaginem (nominative cartilago) “cartilage, gristle,” possibly related to Latin crates “wickerwork.”

cartilage car·ti·lage (kär’tl-ĭj)
n.
A tough, elastic, fibrous connective tissue that is a major constituent of embryonic and young vertebrate skeletons, is converted largely to bone with maturation, and is found in various parts of the adult body, such as the joints, outer ear, and larynx.
cartilage
(kär’tl-ĭj)
A strong, flexible connective tissue that is found in various parts of the body, including the joints, the outer ear, and the larynx. During the embryonic development of most vertebrates, the skeleton forms as cartilage before most of it hardens into bone. In cartilaginous fish, the mature fish retains a skeleton made of cartilage.
cartilage [(kahr-tl-ij)]

A kind of tough but elastic connective tissue that can withstand considerable pressure. It makes up portions of the skeletal system, such as the linings of the joints, where it cushions against shock. Cartilage is also found in other body structures, such as the nose and external ear.