areolae
|a-re-o-lae|
🇺🇸
/əˈriːəliː/ or /ˌær.iˈoʊ.liː/
🇬🇧
/əˈriːəʊliː/ or /ˌær.iˈəʊ.liː/
(areola)
small ring or patch
Etymology
'areola' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'areola', a diminutive of 'area', where 'area' meant 'open space' or 'region'.
'areola' passed through Medieval and Late Latin (and New Latin scientific usage) into English; the Latin 'areola' (a small area) was adopted into English as 'areola', with the Latin plural 'areolae' sometimes used in scientific contexts.
Initially, it meant 'small open space' in Latin, but over time it evolved into the more specific modern meanings of 'small circular area' in anatomy and biology (for example, the pigmented ring around the nipple).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural form of 'areola': the pigmented circular area surrounding each nipple (the plural referring to two or more such areas).
The areolae around the nipples are often darker than the surrounding skin.
Synonyms
Noun 2
plural form of 'areola': small ring-shaped or cell-like areas or spaces found in botanical, zoological, or paleontological contexts (e.g., on leaves, shells, corals, or fossils).
Under the microscope the specimen showed distinct areolae on its surface.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/11 01:50