əˈrēələ noun
( plural areolae -əˌlē, -lī ; or areolas )
Etymology: New Latin, from Latin, small open space, diminutive of area piece of level ground — more at area
: a small area: as
a. : an interstice or small space (as between the veins of leaves, between the cracks of the surface in certain crustaceous lichens, between the fibers composing organs or vessels that interlace, or between the nervures of an insect's wing)
b. : the colored ring around the nipple or around a vesicle or pustule
c. : the portion of the iris that borders the pupil of the eye