pəˈtelə noun
Etymology: Latin, diminutive of patina pan — more at paten
1. plural pa·tel·lae -eˌlē, -ˌlī : a small dish, pan, or vase of ancient Rome
2. plural patellae or patellas
a. : a thick flat triangular movable bone that forms the anterior point of the knee and protects the front of the joint, increases the leverage of the quadriceps, and is usually regarded as a sesamoid bone since it is developed in the tendon of the quadriceps and in structure is similar to other sesamoid bones : kneecap , kneepan
b.
[New Latin, from Latin]
: the fourth segment in the pedipalpus or in the leg of an arachnid
3. plural patellae
[New Latin, from Latin]
: a rounded apothecium in a lichen that has a distinct marginal rim
4.
[New Latin, from Latin]
a. capitalized : the type genus of the family Patellidae including the common European limpet ( P. vulgata )
b. plural patellas or patellae : a limpet of the family Patellidae