Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Cartilage \Car"ti*lage\, n. [L. cartilago; cf. F. cartilage.]
   (Anat.)
   A translucent, elastic tissue; gristle.

   Note: Cartilage contains no vessels, and consists of a
         homogeneous, intercellular matrix, in which there are
         numerous minute cavities, or capsules, containing
         protoplasmic cells, the cartilage corpuscul. See Illust
         under {Duplication}.

   {Articular cartilage}, cartilage that lines the joints.

   {Cartilage bone} (Anat.), any bone formed by the ossification
      of cartilage.

   {Costal cartilage}, cartilage joining a rib with he sternum.
      See Illust. of {Thorax}.

Source : WordNet®

cartilage
     n : tough elastic tissue; mostly converted to bone in adults
         [syn: {gristle}]