Areolation

a·re·o·la  (-r-l) also ar·e·ole (âr-l)

n. pl. a·re·o·lae (-l) or a·re·o·las also ar·e·oles (-lz)

1. areole

a. 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.

b. A small, specialized, cushionlike area on a cactus from which hairs, glochids, spines, branches, or flowers may arise.

2. 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.

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[Latin reola, small open space, diminutive of rea, open place; see area.]

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a·reo·lar, a·reo·late (-lt) adj.

a·reo·lation n.