vitellus

[ vi-tel-uhs, vahy- ]

noun

, plural vi·tel·lus·es.

1. the yolk of an egg.

vitellus

/ vɪˈtɛləs /

noun

1. rare.
   zoology the yolk of an egg

Word History and Origins

Origin of vitellus¹

Borrowed into English from Latin around 1720–30

Word History and Origins

Origin of vitellus¹

C18: from Latin, literally: little calf, later: yolk of an egg, from vitulus calf

Example Sentences

Within the shell the animal portion of the egg is found; which consists of a viscous, colorless liquid called albumen, or the white, and a yellow globular mass called the vitellus, or yolk.

From Project Gutenberg

Now, the human ovum or egg consists of a vitellus or yolk, which is covered by a similar membrane, known as the vitelline.

From Project Gutenberg

As a consequence of this superficial concentration we get segmentation of the vitellus, with the production of a morula.

From Project Gutenberg

The literal references to the foregoing are: am, amnion; al, allantois; v, vitellus; h, encephalon; i, eye; c, heart; f, liver; g, gizzard; ms, upper, and mi, lower member.

From Project Gutenberg

Up to this point the vitellus of the egg, nourished by endosmosis through its membranes, had sufficed for the nutrition of the still very small embryo.

From Project Gutenberg