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 adjective
-lə(r)
rotulian adjective
räˈtülēən
rä‧ˈtyü-
räˈchü-
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