Adjacent Words

columella definitions

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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a small column (or structure resembling a column) that is a part of a plant or animal

Merriam Webster's

noun (plural columellae) Etymology: New Latin, from Latin, diminutive of columna Date: circa 1755 1. the central column or axis of a spiral univalve shell 2. a. the bony or partly cartilaginous rod connecting the tympanic membrane with the internal ear in birds and in many reptiles and amphibians b. the bony central axis of the cochlea • columellar adjective

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Columella Col`u*mel"la, n. [L., dim. of columen column. See Column.] 1. (Bot.) (a) An axis to which a carpel of a compound pistil may be attached, as in the case of the geranium; or which is left when a pod opens. (b) A columnlike axis in the capsules of mosses. 2. (Anat.) A term applied to various columnlike parts; as, the columella, or epipterygoid bone, in the skull of many lizards; the columella of the ear, the bony or cartilaginous rod connecting the tympanic membrane with the internal ear. 3. (Zo["o]l.) (a) The upright pillar in the axis of most univalve shells. (b) The central pillar or axis of the calicles of certain corals.