ampulla

[ am-puhl-uh, -poo l-uh ]
/ æmˈpʌl ə, -ˈpʊl ə /

noun, plural am·pul·lae [am-puhl-ee, -poo l-ee] /æmˈpʌl i, -ˈpʊl i/.

Anatomy. a dilated portion of a canal or duct, especially of the semicircular canals of the ear.
Zoology, Botany. any flask-shaped structure.
Ecclesiastical.
  1. a vessel for the wine and water used at the altar.
  2. a vessel for holding consecrated oil.
a two-handled bottle having a somewhat globular shape, made of glass or earthenware, used by the ancient Romans for holding oil, wine, or perfumes.
Ichthyology. ampulla of Lorenzini.

Origin of ampulla

< New Latin, Latin, equivalent to amphor(a) amphora + -la diminutive suffix, with normal vowel reduction and Greek ph rendered as p

Example sentences from the Web for ampulla

British Dictionary definitions for ampulla

ampulla
/ (æmˈpʊlə) /

noun plural -pullae (-ˈpʊliː)

anatomy the dilated end part of certain ducts or canals, such as the end of a uterine tube
Christianity
  1. a vessel for containing the wine and water used at the Eucharist
  2. a small flask for containing consecrated oil
a Roman two-handled bottle for oil, wine, or perfume

Derived forms of ampulla

ampullaceous (ˌæmpʊˈleɪʃəs) or ampullaceal, adjective ampullar (æmˈpʊlə) or ampullary (æmˈpʊlərɪ), adjective

Word Origin for ampulla

C16: from Latin, diminutive of amphora

Medical definitions for ampulla

ampulla
[ ăm-pulə, -pŭlə ]

n. pl. am•pul•lae (-pulē, -pŭlē)

A dilated portion of a canal or duct, as in the semicircular canal of the ear.

Other words from ampulla

am•pullar adj.