lamella

noun

la·​mel·​la lə-ˈme-lə 

plural lamellae lə-ˈme-(ˌ)lē  -ˌlī  also lamellas

: a thin flat scale, membrane, or layer: such as

a

: one of the thin plates composing the gills of a bivalve mollusk

b

: a gill of a mushroom

c

: one of the bony concentric layers surrounding a Haversian canal in bone

Synonyms

• lamina
• plate
• scale

Examples of lamella in a Sentence

the gemstone's distinctive iridescence is caused by light passing from one lamella of crystal to another

Recent Examples on the Web

The historic finding mostly hinged on the architectural style of the ceiling and roof, called a lamella roof. —Corina Vanek, The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024

However, the site is one of only two in the city that show intact examples of an architectural style of ceiling and roof, called a lamella roof. —The Arizona Republic, 13 Mar. 2024

Those vents are slotted to mimic the lamella structures on the undersides of mushrooms, and that design theme permeates the interior. —Dan Edmunds, Car and Driver, 3 Sep. 2023

The beak’s two yellow ridges, called the lamella and the cere, lit up. —Julissa Treviño, Smithsonian, 9 Apr. 2018

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, diminutive of lamina thin plate

First Known Use

1678, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing lamella

• middle lamella

Kids Definition

lamella

noun

la·​mel·​la lə-ˈmel-ə 

plural lamellae -ˈmel-(ˌ)ē 

-ˌī

also lamellas

: a thin flat scale, layer, or membrane

Medical Definition

lamella

noun

la·​mel·​la lə-ˈmel-ə 

plural lamellae -ˈme-ˌlē  -ˌlī  also lamellas

1

: an organ, process, or part resembling a plate: as

a

: one of the bony concentric layers surrounding the Haversian canals in bone

b(1)

: one of the incremental layers of cementum laid down in a tooth

(2)

: a thin sheetlike organic structure in the enamel of a tooth extending inward from a surface crack

2

: a small medicated disk prepared from gelatin and glycerin for use especially in the eyes

lamellae of atropine