Alveoli

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Alveolus \Al*ve"o*lus\ ([a^]l*v[=e]"[-o]*l[u^]s), n.; pl.
     {Alveoli} (-l[imac]). [L., a small hollow or cavity, dim. of
     alveus: cf. F. alv['e]ole. See {Alveary}.]
     1. A cell in a honeycomb.
        [1913 Webster]
  


     2. (Zool.) A small cavity in a coral, shell, or fossil.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Anat.) A small depression, sac, or vesicle, as the socket
        of a tooth, the air cells of the lungs, the ultimate
        saccules of glands, etc.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  alveolus
       n 1: a tiny sac for holding air in the lungs; formed by the
            terminal dilation of tiny air passageways [syn: {air sac},
             {air cell}]
       2: a bony socket in the alveolar ridge that holds a tooth [syn:
           {tooth socket}]
       [also: {alveoli} (pl)]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  alveoli
       See {alveolus}