Ampulla

2 definitions found

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

  Ampulla \Am*pul"la\, n.; pl. {Ampull[ae]}. [L. ]
     1. (Rom. Antiq.) A narrow-necked vessel having two handles
        and bellying out like a jug.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Eccl.)


        (a) A cruet for the wine and water at Mass.
        (b) The vase in which the holy oil for chrism, unction, or
            coronation is kept. --Shipley.
            [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Biol.) Any membranous bag shaped like a leathern bottle,
        as the dilated end of a vessel or duct; especially the
        dilations of the semicircular canals of the ear.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  ampulla
       n 1: the dilated portion of a canal or duct especially of the
            semicircular canals of the ear
       2: a flask that has two handles; used by Romans for wines or
          oils
       [also: {ampullae} (pl)]