Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

lamella

noun la·mel·la \ lə-ˈme-lə \

Definition of lamella

plural lamellae play \lə-ˈme-(ˌ)lē, -ˌlī\ also lamellas
: a thin flat scale, membrane, or layer: such as
a : one of the thin plates composing the gills of a bivalve mollusk
b : a gill of a mushroom

See lamella defined for kids

Examples of lamella in a Sentence

  1. the gemstone's distinctive iridescence is caused by light passing from one lamella of crystal to another

Recent Examples of lamella from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lamella.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of lamella

New Latin, from Latin, diminutive of lamina thin plate

lamella Synonyms

Synonyms

lamina, plate, scale;

Related Words

chip, flake, sliver, splint, splinter;

leaf, sheet, slice;

Medical Dictionary

lamella

noun la·mel·la \ lə-ˈmel-ə \

medical Definition of lamella

plural lamellae play \-ˈme-ˌlē, -ˌlī\ also lamellas
1 : an organ, process, or part resembling a plate: as
a : one of the bony concentric layers surrounding the haversian canals in bone
b (1) : one of the incremental layers of cementum laid down in a tooth
(2) : a thin sheetlike organic structure in the enamel of a tooth extending inward from a surface crack
2 : a small medicated disk prepared from gelatin and glycerin for use especially in the eyes
  • lamellae of atropine

Learn More about lamella

  1. See words that rhyme with lamella Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for lamella

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up lamella? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

WORD OF THE DAY

satiety

play

fullness to the point of excess

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. hogwash 'nonsense, balderdash'

  2. probity 'adherence to the highest principles and ideals'

  3. sequacious 'intellectually servile'

  4. inadmissible 'not capable of being allowed'

  5. oligarch, pejorative 'a member a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

lamella

Test Your Vocabulary

Difficult Spelling Words Quiz

  • alphabet-pasta-spelling-help
  • Which is the correct spelling?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Syn City

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games