ala

A wing or winglike anatomic process or part, especially of bone.

Noun

  1. A wing or winglike anatomic process or part, especially of bone.
  2. The flattened border of some stems, fruits, and seeds, or one of the two side petals of certain flowers in the pea family.
  3. In ancient Rome, a small room opening into a larger room or courtyard.

Origin

Originated 1730–40, borrowed from Latin āla (“wing”). Doublet of aisle.

Forms

alae alæ

Preposition

  1. Alternative form of a la.
    • The film is told in reverse ala Memento. - 2006, WorstPreviews.com, archived from the original on 07 Jun 2020:
    • […] interactive plasma screens with flashing digits and what not, ala “Minority Report,” […] - 2008 November 14, admin, “Quantum of Solace”, in Film Threat:
    • […] we might be getting to the point where Palin is a bona fide liability—ala Pelosi—for the GOP. - 2011 March 11, Aaron Blake, Chris Cillizza, “Palin: The GOP's Pelosi?”, in The Fix, archived from the original on 24...

Origin

Borrowed from French à la, by way of its English derivation a la.