labellum
[l
uh
-
bel
-
uh
m]
/ləˈbɛl əm/
noun
,
plural
labella
[l
uh
-
bel
-
uh
]
/ləˈbɛl ə/
(
Show IPA
).
Botany
1.
the petal of an orchid that differs more or less markedly from the other petals, often forming the most conspicuous part; the lip.
Origin
1820-30;
<
Latin,
diminutive of
labrum
lip; for formation see
castellum
Related forms
labelloid,
adjective
British Dictionary definitions for
labellum
labellum
/
ləˈbɛləm
/
noun
(
pl
)
-la
(
-lə
)
1.
the part of the corolla of certain plants, esp orchids, that forms a distinct, often lobed, lip
2.
a lobe at the tip of the proboscis of a fly
Derived Forms
labelloid,
adjective
Word Origin
C19: New Latin, diminutive of Latin
labrum
lip