[al.ve.o.lus] n, pl -li [NL, fr. L, dim. of alveus cavity, hollow, fr. alvus belly, beehive; akin to Lith aulys beehive, Gk aulos tube, flute] (ca. 1706) 1: a small cavity or pit: as a: a socket for a tooth b: an air-containing cell of the lungs c: an acinus of a compound gland d: a cell or compartment of a honeycomb
2: teethridge