I. ˈaksəˌlerē, -ri also ( esp in sense 1 ) (ˈ) ak|silər- adjective
also ax·il·lar usu (ˈ)ak|silə(r) in sense 1 and ˈaksəl- in sense 2
Etymology: probably from French axillaire, from Middle French, from Latin axilla + Middle French -aire -ary
1. : of, near, or relating to the axilla
an axillary nerve
an axillary feather
an axillary plate
2.
[ axil + -ary, -ar ]
: situated in, growing from, or relating to an axil
axillary buds
II. noun
( -es )
: axillar: as
a. : one of a group of feathers arising from the axilla and closing the space between flight feathers and body when a bird is flying
b. : one of the small lateral sclerites of the thorax with which the wing of an insect articulates and flexes