[ al'vɪələs , ˌalvɪ'əʊləs ]
■ noun ( plural alveoli -lʌɪ , -li: ) Anatomy
1》 any of the many tiny air sacs of the lungs which allow for rapid gaseous exchange.
2》 the bony socket for the root of a tooth.
3》 an acinus (sac-like cavity) in a gland.
Derivatives
alveolate al'vɪələt adjective
Origin
C17: from L., 'small cavity', dimin. of alveus .