I. alˈvēələ(r) also -ˌlär or -ˌlȧ(r or |alvē|ōl- or ˈalvēəl- adjective
Etymology: probably from French alvéolaire, from alvéole alveolus (from Latin alveolus ) + -aire -ar
1. : of, relating to, resembling, made up of, or having an alveolus or alveoli
2.
a. : of, relating to, or taking the form of a small pit or sac
b. : of or relating to the part of the jaw where the teeth arise, the air cells of the lungs, or glands in which the secretory cells are gathered about a central space
3. : articulated with the tip of the tongue touching or near the teethridge (as the English consonant sounds t, d, n, s, and z)
• al·ve·o·lar·ly adverb
II. noun
( -s )
1. alveolars plural
a. : the alveolar processes in which the teeth are set
b. or alveolar arch : that part of the upper jaws in which the teeth are set ; especially : the inner surface of such a part that is involved in the formation of certain speech sounds
2.
a. : an alveolar consonant (as English t, d, n, s, or z)
b. : an alveolar sound