bulla

[ bool-uh, buhl-uh ]

noun

, plural bul·lae [bool, -ee, buhl, -ee].

1. a seal attached to an official document, as a papal bull.
2. an ancient Roman pendant, consisting of a rounded box containing an amulet.
3. Pathology. a large vesicle.
4. Zoology. a blisterlike or bubblelike prominence of a bone, as that of the tympanic bone in the skull of certain mammals.

bulla

/ ˈbʌlə; ˈbʊlə /

noun

1. a leaden seal affixed to a papal bull, having a representation of Saints Peter and Paul on one side and the name of the reigning pope on the other
2. an ancient Roman rounded metal or leather box containing an amulet, worn around the neck
3. See blister
   pathol another word for blister
4. anatomy a rounded bony projection

Word History and Origins

Origin of bulla¹

1840–50; < Latin: bubble, also stud, boss, knob (whence Medieval Latin bulla official seal)

Word History and Origins

Origin of bulla¹

C19: from Latin: round object, bubble

Example Sentences

The store sold everyday goods and featured a large brick oven that was used to make its famous bulla cakes, flavorful flat pastries made with flour, ginger and molasses.

From Washington Post

“I promised myself to change this cycle of life,” said Victor Bulla.

From The Daily Beast

Its decoration consisted in part of a Swastika similar in form and style to the Etruscan gold “bulla,” fig. 188 in this paper.

From Project Gutenberg

In the latter there is a considerable bulging below the aperture of the ear called the bulla tympani, or bulb of the drum.

From Project Gutenberg

The great cavity is the bulla tympani or bulb of the ear; a m is the auditory meatus or external hole of the ear.

From Project Gutenberg

As a director of the Southwest Museum, Bulla performs another of his services to the community.

From Project Gutenberg

The external auditory aperture (fig. 75, 7) is a large opening with rough edges at the outer side of the tympanic bulla.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• abscess
• cyst
• pimple
• sore
• ulcer
• welt