Alae

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈeɪˌli/

Definitions

1. Anatomical structures that resemble wings or extensions, typically referring to flaps of tissue resembling wings
2. Referring to a pair of wing-like projections found on various organisms, particularly in animal anatomy
3. Describing the wing-like aspects of certain structures, especially in biological and anatomical contexts

Etymology: "Alae" is the plural of "ala," a Latin word meaning "wing," and the Latin word is ultimately the source of the English term. In anatomy, the singular was borrowed into English in the 1730s to name the wing-like structures found on various organisms, and the plural form is the one used when referring to more than one of them. The English term came into use by way of an existing English derivation, "a la," which was itself taken from Latin "ala." That route means the word reached scientific English as a borrowed Latin term rather than through everyday speech, which is typical of anatomical vocabulary built on classical roots.

Synonyms: wings, flaps, lobes, extensions, projections