ampulla

UK: /æmˈpʊlə/ US: (am pul′ə, -pŏŏl′ə)

Inflections of 'ampulla' (n): npl: ampullae

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

am•pul•la  (am pul′ə, -pŏŏl′ə), n., pl. -pul•lae 

(-pul′ē, -pŏŏl′ē). 
1. Anatomy a dilated portion of a canal or duct, esp. of the semicircular canals of the ear.
2. Insects, Botany, Zoology [Zool., Bot.] any flask-shaped structure.
3. [Eccles.]
   • a vessel for the wine and water used at the altar.
   • a vessel for holding consecrated oil.
4. Antiquity a two-handled bottle having a somewhat globular shape, made of glass or earthenware, used by the ancient Romans for holding oil, wine, or perfumes.
5. Anatomy, Fish [Ichthyol.] See ampulla of Lorenzini. 

• Neo-Latin, Latin, equivalent. to amphor(a) amphora + -la diminutive suffix, with normal vowel reduction and Greek ph rendered as p

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

ampulla / æmˈpʊlə/ noun ( -pullae / -ˈpʊliː/)

1. the dilated end part of certain ducts or canals, such as the end of a uterine tube
2. a vessel for containing the wine and water used at the Eucharist
3. a small flask for containing consecrated oil
4. a Roman two-handled bottle for oil, wine, or perfume

Etymology: 16th Century: from Latin, diminutive of amphora