ampulla

[am-puhl-uh, -poo l-uh]

noun, plural am·pul·lae [am-puhl-ee, -poo l-ee] /æmˈpʌl i, -ˈpʊl i/.

Anatomy. a dilated portion of a canal or duct, especially of the semicircular canals of the ear.

Zoology, Botany. any flask-shaped structure.

Ecclesiastical.

a vessel for the wine and water used at the altar.
a vessel for holding consecrated oil.

a two-handled bottle having a somewhat globular shape, made of glass or earthenware, used by the ancient Romans for holding oil, wine, or perfumes.

Ichthyology. ampulla of Lorenzini.

Origin of ampulla

< New Latin, Latin, equivalent to amphor(a) amphora + -la diminutive suffix, with normal vowel reduction and Greek ph rendered as p

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for ampullae

beaker, jug, vial, urn, chalice, decanter, canteen, carafe, crock, glass, retort, jar, ewer, noggin, bag, bottle, fiasco, flagon, crystal, demijohn

Examples from the Web for ampullae

Historical Examples of ampullae

Thus impulses may be generated in the nerves of the ampullae.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 7
Various
E—Other ampullae receiving the distilled aqua and likewise arranged in sand contained in the lower boxes.
De Re Metallica
Georgius Agricola
These vessels connect with the urethra by a small duct, at the point where the ampullae do.
Self Knowledge and Guide to Sex Instruction
T. W. Shannon

British Dictionary definitions for ampullae

ampulla

noun plural -pullae (-ˈpʊliː)

anatomy the dilated end part of certain ducts or canals, such as the end of a uterine tube

Christianity

a vessel for containing the wine and water used at the Eucharist
a small flask for containing consecrated oil

a Roman two-handled bottle for oil, wine, or perfume

Derived Formsampullaceous (ˌæmpʊˈleɪʃəs) or ampullaceal, adjectiveampullar (æmˈpʊlə) or ampullary (æmˈpʊlərɪ), adjective

Word Origin for ampulla

C16: from Latin, diminutive of amphora

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for ampullae

ampulla

late 14c., type of globular ancient Roman vessel; see ampoule.

ampullae in Medicine

ampulla

[ăm-pul′ə, -pŭl′ə]

n. pl. am•pul•lae (-pul′ē, -pŭl′ē)

A dilated portion of a canal or duct, as in the semicircular canal of the ear.

Related formsam•pul′lar adj.