ˈrächələ noun
( plural rotulas -ləz ; or rotu·lae -ˌlē)
Etymology: in sense 1, from Middle English, from Medieval Latin, from Latin, little wheel; in other senses, from New Latin, from Latin — more at roll
1. : patella 2a
2. : one of the five radial pieces intervening between the alveoli and extending inward toward the esophagus in the Aristotle's lantern of a sea urchin
3. : troche
• rot·u·lar -_lə(r) adjective
• ro·tu·li·an räˈtülēən, rä.ˈtyü-, räˈchü- adjective