vexillum

[ vek-sil-uhm ]

noun,plural vex·il·la [vek-sil-uh]. /vɛkˈsɪl ə/.
  1. a military standard or flag carried by ancient Roman troops.

  2. a group of men serving under such a standard.

  1. video frequency.

  2. Also vex·il [vek-sil]. /ˈvɛk sɪl/. Botany. the large upper petal of a papilionaceous flower.

  3. Ornithology Rare. the web or vane of a feather.

Origin of vexillum

1
1720–30; <Latin: standard, flag, diminutive from the base of vēlum sail (see veil)

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British Dictionary definitions for vexillum

vexillum

/ (vɛkˈsɪləm) /


nounplural -la (-lə)
  1. ornithol the vane of a feather

  2. botany another name for standard (def. 16)

Origin of vexillum

1
C18: from Latin: banner, perhaps from vēlum sail

Derived forms of vexillum

  • vexillary or vexillar, adjective
  • vexillate, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012