alveolus Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a tiny sac for holding air in the lungs; formed by the terminal dilation of tiny air passageways
    air sac; air cell.
  2. noun a bony socket in the alveolar ridge that holds a tooth
    tooth socket.

WordNet

Al*ve"o*lus noun
Etymology
L., a small hollow or cavity, dim. of alveus: cf. F. alvéole. See Alveary.
Wordforms
plural Alveoli
Definitions
  1. A cell in a honeycomb.
  2. (Zoöl.) A small cavity in a coral, shell, or fossil
  3. (Anat.) A small depression, sac, or vesicle, as the socket of a tooth, the air cells of the lungs, the ultimate saccules of glands, etc.

Webster 1913