bulla

noun

bul·​la ˈbu̇-lə How to pronounce bulla (audio)
plural bullae ˈbu̇-ˌlē How to pronounce bulla (audio) -ˌlī How to pronounce bulla (audio)
1
[Medieval Latin] : the round usually lead seal attached to a papal bull
2
[New Latin, from Latin] : a hollow thin-walled rounded bony prominence
3
: a large vesicle or blister

Examples of bulla in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web So please, all the lefty-loosey and righty-tighty Venezuela zealots, spare us your bulla — and try using your noggins now. Tim Padgett, Sun Sentinel, 11 Aug. 2024 Officials confirmed his identification, describing the small artifact as a 250-year-old lead seal, or bulla, from a papal bull. Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2024 By extension, bulla came to refer to the official documents secured by such seals. Melissa Mohr, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Feb. 2023 The word bill derives from bulla, which in medieval Latin referred to a seal on a document, such as wax stamped by a signet ring. Melissa Mohr, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Feb. 2023 The air sac links onto an extension on the hyoid bone known as the hyoid bulla. Valerie Ross, Discover Magazine, 28 Nov. 2011 According to Rossella Tercatin of the Jerusalem Post, the fact that the bulla contains multiple impressions could indicate it was stamped by two people coordinating a transaction. Isis Davis-Marks, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 June 2021 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. Washington Post, 13 Jan. 2021 By getting a prompt diagnosis, any large bulla, or balloons, can be surgically removed. Alice Oglethorpe, Good Housekeeping, 18 Nov. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bulla.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bulla was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near bulla

Cite this Entry

“Bulla.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bulla. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

bulla

noun
bul·​la ˈbu̇l-ə How to pronounce bulla (audio)
plural bullae ˈbu̇l-ˌē How to pronounce bulla (audio) -ˌī How to pronounce bulla (audio)
1
: a hollow thin-walled rounded bony prominence
2
: a large vesicle or blister compare bleb

More from Merriam-Webster on bulla

Last Updated: - Definition revised
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!