rotula

noun

rot·​u·​la

ˈrächələ

plural rotulas

-ləz

or rotulae

-ˌlē

1

: patella sense 2a

2

: one of the five radial pieces intervening between the alveoli and extending inward toward the esophagus in the Aristotle's lantern of a sea urchin

3

: troche

rotular

-lə(r)

adjective

rotulian

räˈtülēən

rä‧ˈtyü-

räˈchü-

adjective

Word History

Etymology

in sense 1, from Middle English, from Medieval Latin, from Latin, little wheel; in other senses, from New Latin, from Latin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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