plural bullae
ˈbu̇-ˌlē 
-ˌlī
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
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
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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
See More
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 7 Dec. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on bulla
Britannica English: Translation of bulla for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bulla
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