n.
Pronunciation: ˌ käl-y ə - ' me-l ə
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -mel · lae \ - ' me-( ˌ )l ē , - ˌ l ī \
Etymology: New Latin, from Latin, diminutive of columna
Date: circa 1755
1 : the central column or axis of a spiral univalve shell
2 a : the bony or partly cartilaginous rod connecting the tympanic membrane with the internal ear in birds and in many reptiles and amphibians b : the bony central axis of the cochlea
– col · u · mel · lar \ - ' me-l ə r \ adjective