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Glite Dictionary
alular

alular

9.9
Of the small part at the front edge of a bird's or insect's wing
  • adjective
  • Specialized
: alular
  • The alular feathers help birds control airflow during slow flight.

Examples

  • The alular structure helps birds maneuver during flight.

  • This species is distinguished by a prominent alular area on its wings.

  • Examination revealed an injury to the alular region of the bird.

  • Many birds have an alular bone that aids in their flying abilities.

  • The alular feathers help birds control airflow during slow flight.

  • Examination revealed an injury to the alular region of the bird.

  • This species is distinguished by a prominent alular area on its wings.

Surface Forms

alular positive

Morphology

alular = alula (transparent) = alula + ar

Formed regularly from the noun 'alula' with the adjectival suffix '-ar', so the relation is clear though both terms are technical.

Etymology

Alular comes from alula, a Latin word that is a small form of ala, meaning 'wing' or 'little wing'. The alula is the tiny group of feathers at the front of a bird's wing that helps control flight, so alular means 'relating to' that small wing area.