alula

[ al-yuh-luh ]

noun

, plural al·u·lae [al, -y, uh, -lee].

1. Also called bastard wing,. the group of three to six small, rather stiff feathers growing on the first digit, pollex, or thumb of a bird's wing.
2. a membranous lobe at the base of each wing of a dipterous insect.

alula

/ ˈæljʊlə /

noun

1. another name for bastard wing

Derived Forms

• ˈalular, adjective

Other Words From

• al·u·lar adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of alula¹

1765–75; < New Latin, equivalent to Latin āl ( a ) wing + -ula -ule

Word History and Origins

Origin of alula¹

C18: New Latin: a little wing, from Latin āla a wing

Example Sentences

Axillary lobe: the sclerite covering the base of the wing in Diptera; see also alula and posterior lobe.

From Project Gutenberg

Axillary incision: Diptera; an incision on inner margin of wing, near base, which separates the alula from the main part.

From Project Gutenberg

On the 23rd of September Ras Alula attacked him there with an equal number of men and routed him with great slaughter.

From Project Gutenberg

Ras Alula beat a hurried retreat, leaving the camp in the hands of his enemies.

From Project Gutenberg

Dead and wounded alike were horribly mutilated by order of Alula.

From Project Gutenberg