macula
[ mak-yuh-luh ]
/ ˈmæk yə lə /
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noun, plural mac·u·lae [mak-yuh-lee]. /ˈmæk yəˌli/.
a spot or blotch, especially on one's skin; macule.
Ophthalmology.
- an opaque spot on the cornea.
- Also called macula lutea, yellow spot. an irregularly oval, yellow-pigmented area on the central retina, containing color-sensitive rods and the central point of sharpest vision.
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Origin of macula
1350–1400; Middle English <Latin: spot, blemish
OTHER WORDS FROM macula
mac·u·lar, adjectivemul·ti·mac·u·lar, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use macula in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for macula
macula
macule (ˈmækjuːl)
/ (ˈmækjʊlə) /
noun plural -ulae (-jʊˌliː) or -ules anatomy
a small spot or area of distinct colour, esp the macula lutea
any small discoloured spot or blemish on the skin, such as a freckle
Derived forms of macula
macular, adjectiveWord Origin for macula
C14: from Latin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Scientific definitions for macula
macula
[ măk′yə-lə ]
Plural maculae (măk′yə-lē′) maculas
A minute yellowish area located near the center of the retina of the eye, at which visual perception is most acute.
A discolored spot on the skin that is not elevated above the surface.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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