labellum

[luh-bel-uh m]

noun, plural la·bel·la

[luh-bel-uh] /ləˈbɛl ə/. Botany.

the petal of an orchid that differs more or less markedly from the other petals, often forming the most conspicuous part; the lip.

Origin of labellum

1820–30; < Latin, diminutive of labrum lip; for formation see castellum

Related formsla·bel·loid, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for labella

Historical Examples of labella

Orchids are very subject to an increase in the number of their labella.
Vegetable Teratology
Maxwell T. Masters
It consists of three joints, the last of which is formed by the liplets (Labella).
An Introduction to Entomology: Vol. III (of 4)
William Kirby
And then, Labella, does not the good Book command us to do good to those who hate us, and to love our enemies?'
A Fortune Hunter; Or, The Old Stone Corral
John Dunloe Carteret
Distiproboscis: the outer third of the proboscis in Muscid flies, bearing the labella.
Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology
John. B. Smith

British Dictionary definitions for labella

labellum

noun plural -la (-lə)

the part of the corolla of certain plants, esp orchids, that forms a distinct, often lobed, lip
a lobe at the tip of the proboscis of a fly

Derived Formslabelloid, adjective

Word Origin for labellum

C19: New Latin, diminutive of Latin labrum lip

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