alula

[ al-yuh-luh ]

noun

, plural al·u·lae [al, -y, uh, -lee].

1. Also called bastard wing,. the group of three to six small, rather stiff feathers growing on the first digit, pollex, or thumb of a bird's wing.
2. a membranous lobe at the base of each wing of a dipterous insect.

alula

/ ˈæljʊlə /

noun

1. another name for bastard wing

Derived Forms

• ˈalular, adjective

Other Words From

• al·u·lar adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of alula¹

1765–75; < New Latin, equivalent to Latin āl ( a ) wing + -ula -ule

Word History and Origins

Origin of alula¹

C18: New Latin: a little wing, from Latin āla a wing

Example Sentences

But how can you be absolutely sure that they don’t have alulae in the reconstruction?

From Scientific American

Alulet: Diptera: the lobe at basal posterior part of wing; = alar appendage; posterior lobe: and has been used as = alula.

From Project Gutenberg

Well, they look exactly like gulls with lengthened legs and… no alulae.

From Scientific American

Axillary incision: Diptera; an incision on inner margin of wing, near base, which separates the alula from the main part.

From Project Gutenberg

Axillary lobe: the sclerite covering the base of the wing in Diptera; see also alula and posterior lobe.

From Project Gutenberg