a·re·o·la  (ə-rē'ə-lə) 
n.
pl. a·re·o·lae (-lē') or a·re·o·las also ar·e·oles (-ōlz')
areole Biology A small space or interstice in a tissue or part, such as the area bounded by small veins in a leaf or the wing of an insect. A small, specialized, cushionlike area on a cactus from which hairs, glochids, spines, branches, or flowers may arise.
Anatomy A small ring of color around a center portion, as about the nipple of the breast or the part of the iris surrounding the pupil of the eye.
[Latin āreola, small open space, diminutive of ārea, open place; see area.]
a·re'o·lar, a·re'o·late (-lĭt) adj., a·re'o·la'tion n. |
iˌoʊl