Locular

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈɒk.jə.lə/

Definitions

1. Characterized by the presence of small, distinct chambers or sections within a given structure or organism
2. Relating to a construction or arrangement that is segmented into separate compartments or areas
3. Having a structure divided into multiple small cavities or cells found within an organism or object

Etymology: The Romans used "locus" for a place and added the diminutive ending "-ulus" to make "loculus," a little place or compartment. It was applied to small boxes and to the niches cut into tombs, where each recess held a single body. Later scientists borrowed the Latin stem to describe small internal cavities in plants and animals. A tomato, for example, has several locules, the seed-bearing chambers inside its fruit. "Locular" is the adjective for anything divided into such chambers, and it is built from the same Latin stem that gives English "locate," "local," and "location."

Synonyms: compartmental, cavity-like