ˈembələs noun
( plural embo·li -ˌlī, -ˌlē)
Etymology: New Latin, from Latin, piston of a pump, from Greek embolos stopper
1. archaic : something inserted (as a wedge or the piston of a syringe)
2. : a foreign or abnormal particle circulating in the blood (as a bubble of air or a blood clot) — see embolism ; compare thrombus
3. : a complex chitinous structure that forms the apex of the digital joint of the palpus of a male spider, that contains the terminal portion of the receptacle in which sperm is stored prior to insemination, and that assists in transferring sperm to the female