tegula

noun

teg·​u·​la

ˈtegyələ

1

plural tegulae

-yəˌlē

a

: one of a pair of small scalelike sclerites of the mesothorax of some insects (as of the orders Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera) that cover the bases of the forewings

b

: a patagium of a lepidopterous insect

c

: the alula of a dipterous insect

2

capitalized : a widely distributed genus of turban shells sometimes used for food

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, tile

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