ˈfakyələ noun
( plural facu·lae -yəˌlē)
Etymology: New Latin, from Latin, small torch, diminutive of fac-, fax torch
: any of the bright regions of the sun's photosphere seen most easily near the sun's edge and occurring most frequently in proximity to sunspots
• fac·u·lar -lə(r) adjective
• fac·u·lous -ləs adjective