nounWord forms: pluralutricles or utriculi (juːˈtrɪkjʊˌlaɪ)
1. anatomy
the larger of the two parts of the membranous labyrinth of the internal ear
Compare saccule
2. botany
the bladder-like one-seeded indehiscent fruit of certain plants, esp sedges
Derived forms
utricular (uˈtricular) or utriculate (uˈtriculate)
adjective
Word origin
C18: from Latin ūtriculus diminutive of ūter bag
utricle in American English
(ˈjutrɪkəl)
Word forms: pluraluˈtricuˌli (juˈtrɪkjəˌlaɪ)
noun
a small sac, vesicle, or baglike part
; specif.,
a. Anatomy
the larger of the two saclike cavities in the membranous labyrinth of the inner ear, communicating with the semicircular canals
b. Botany
a small, one-celled, usually indehiscent fruit with a thin, membranous wall and oneor several seeds
Also uˈtriculus (jʊˈtrɪkjələs)Word forms: pluraluˈtricuˌli (juˈtrɪkjəˌlaɪ)
Derived forms
utricular (uˈtricular) (jʊˈtrɪkjələr)
adjective
Word origin
< Fr or L: Fr utricule < L utriculus, little bag or bottle, dim. of uter, leather bag, wineskin, prob. via Etr < Gr hydria, water bag, jug < hydor, water