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Webster 1913 Edition

Columella

Colˊu-mel′la

,
Noun.
[L., dim. of
columen
column. See
Column
.]
1.
(Bot.)
(a)
An axis to which a carpel of a compound pistil may be attached, as in the case of the geranium; or which is left when a pod opens.
(b)
A columnlike axis in the capsules of mosses.
2.
(Anat.)
A term applied to various columnlike parts;
as, the
columella
, or epipterygoid bone, in the skull of many lizards; the
columella
of the ear, the bony or cartilaginous rod connecting the tympanic membrane with the internal ear
.
3.
(Zool.)
(a)
The upright pillar in the axis of most univalve shells.
(b)
The central pillar or axis of the calicles of certain corals.

Definition 2024

columella

columella

See also: Columella

English

Noun

columella ‎(plural columellas or columellae)

  1. (biology) Any of various small structures in plants or animals that are columnar in shape.
  2. (anatomy) The skin at the end of the septum which separates the nostrils.
  3. (comparative anatomy) In birds, reptiles, and amphibians, the small bone which carries vibration from the tympanum to the inner ear.
  4. (malacology) In gastropods, the structure at the center of the whorls of the shell.
  5. (coral science) The structure at the center of the calyx where the septa join together.
  6. (mycology) The central sterile portion of the sporangium in various fungi.
  7. (palynology) A rod-shaped reinforcing element of the sexine layer of a pollen grain.

Translations

Derived terms

References

  • “columella” in The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition, Houghton Mifflin Company, 2000.

See also

Italian

Etymology

From Latin columella.

Noun

columella f ‎(plural columelle)

  1. (biology, anatomy, zoology) columella, modiolus
  2. (anatomy) stapes, stirrup bone, stirrup

Synonyms

Latin

Alternative forms

  • columnella

Pronunciation

  • (Classical) IPA(key): /ko.luˈmel.la/, [kɔ.ɫʊˈmɛl.la]

Etymology

From columna +‎ -ella.

Noun

columella f ‎(genitive columellae); first declension

  1. diminutive of columna: a small column or pillar

Declension

First declension.

Case Singular Plural
nominative columella columellae
genitive columellae columellārum
dative columellae columellīs
accusative columellam columellās
ablative columellā columellīs
vocative columella columellae

Descendants

References

Etymology

From Latin columella ‎(“small column”).

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