ala-, ali-, al- +

1. In zoology, a winglike projection or structure: The sphenoid bone, or ala, is one of seven bones which is somewhat shaped like the wing extension of a bat.
2. A flat process or part of an organism that is shaped like a wing: An ala is the lateral petal of a papilionaceous flowers.

An ala is also the membranous expansion on some seeds.

The basal lobe of moss leaves is called an ala.

1. Concerning the armpit; axillary: The alar, or axillary, nerve, lumph nodes and artery are located under the shoulder joint. ,
2. Relating to wings or alae: The alar cartilages exist in the nose, for example.

Pertaining to wings: winglike: Birds and lots of insects have alary appendages which allow them to fly.

1. Descriptive of a winglike expansion: A petiole of a plant has an alate shape and attaches the blade to the stem.
2. Broad-lipped; winged: In the genus Atrya, the alate structure of the lamellae and spines of shells give them their form. .

Regarding an organism that looks like or has wings: wing-shaped; alary: Mary watched all the aliform butterflies fluttering around the many flowers in the garden.

Relating to the wings of the nose: Jack had an alinasal olfactory organ with flaring parts of the nostrils. ..

The wing-like portion of the sphenoid forming part of the cranium; ala temporalis: In class, Greg learned about the alisphenoid, a wing shaped bone located at the bottom of the skull just unde the eyes.

The thorax, or the section of the body of an insect: The alitrunk is positioned in an insect where the legs and wings are connected and which is joined with the first segment of the abdomen.