alveolus

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin alveolus, a diminutive of alveus (“a tray, trough, basin”), from alvus (“the belly, the stomach, bowels, womb, etc.”).

Noun

alveolus (plural alveoli)

  1. A small cavity or pit.
  2. (anatomy) an anatomical structure that has the form of a hollow cavity, as:
    1. (anatomy, pulmonology) A small air sac in the lungs, where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged with the blood.
    2. (anatomy, dentistry) A dental alveolus (tooth socket): the socket in which a tooth resides.

Synonyms

Derived terms

Translations

See also

References

  • alveolus in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
  • alveolus in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
  • alveolus at OneLook Dictionary Search

Latin

Etymology

alveus +‎ -olus

Pronunciation

Noun

alveolus m (genitive alveolī); second declension

  1. small hollow or cavity
  2. tray, trough, basin
  3. gaming board

Inflection

Second declension.

Case Singular Plural
nominative alveolus alveolī
genitive alveolī alveolōrum
dative alveolō alveolīs
accusative alveolum alveolōs
ablative alveolō alveolīs
vocative alveole alveolī

Descendants

References

alveolus in D. P. Simpson, Cassell's Latin Dictionary, Wiley Publishing, 1968

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