ampulla
[ am-puhl-uh, -pool-uh ]
/ æmˈpʌl ə, -ˈpʊl ə /
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noun, plural am·pul·lae [am-puhl-ee, -pool-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.
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Origin of ampulla
<New Latin, Latin, equivalent to amphor(a) amphora + -la diminutive suffix, with normal vowel reduction and Greek ph rendered as p
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for ampulla
E—Other ampullae receiving the distilled aqua and likewise arranged in sand contained in the lower boxes.
De Re Metallica|Georgius AgricolaThese 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. ShannonThus impulses may be generated in the nerves of the ampullae.
British Dictionary definitions for ampulla
ampulla
/ (æmˈpʊlə) /
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 forms of ampulla
ampullaceous (ˌæmpʊˈleɪʃəs) or ampullaceal, adjectiveampullar (æmˈpʊlə) or ampullary (æmˈpʊlərɪ), adjectiveWord 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
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Medical definitions for ampulla
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.
Other words from ampulla
am•pul′lar adj.The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.