Meaning & use
alae
Last updated
the plural of ala, a wing-like or wing-shaped anatomical structure, such as the flared sides of the nostrils or a wing-like extension on a plant part.
See it in a sentence
The alae of the nose flare slightly when a person breathes heavily during exercise.
Botanists examined the alae on the seed pod under a microscope to identify the species.
A note on using this word
Alae is the Latin-derived plural of 'ala' (meaning wing); it is used almost exclusively in anatomy and botany.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “alae”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.