vitellus

[ vi-tel-uhs, vahy- ]

/ vɪˈtɛl əs, vaɪ- /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for vitellus on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural vi·tel·lus·es.

the yolk of an egg.

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of vitellus

Borrowed into English from Latin around 1720–30

Words nearby vitellus

vitellin, vitelline, vitelline membrane, vitellogenesis, vitellogenic, vitellus, vitiable, vitiate, viticetum, viticulture, Viti Levu

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use vitellus in a sentence

It has only been met with in the vitellus of some of the medium sized ova of a young female.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume 1|Francis Maitland Balfour
It is formed from the vitellus at a much later period than the proper vitelline membrane.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume 1|Francis Maitland Balfour
The yolk spherules I find to be first developed in a peripheral layer of the vitellus.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume 1|Francis Maitland Balfour
Vit′ellary, Vitell′ine, pertaining to the vitellus, or forming such.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements)|Various

In Ascidia canina these processes become as long as the whole diameter of the vitellus (Kupffer, No. 60).
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume II (of 4)|Francis Maitland Balfour

British Dictionary definitions for vitellus

vitellus

/ (vɪˈtɛləs) /

noun plural -luses or -li (-laɪ)

zoology rare the yolk of an egg

Word Origin for vitellus

C18: from Latin, literally: little calf, later: yolk of an egg, from vitulus calf

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