Defn: A term applied to various columnlike parts; as, the columnella, or epipterygoid bone, in the skull of many lizards; the columella of the ear, the bony or cartilaginous rod connecting the tympanic membrane with the internal ear.
3. (Zoöl.) (a) The upright pillar in the axis of most univalve shells. (b) The central pillar or axis of the calicles of certain corals.
COLUMELLIFORM
Col`u*mel"li*form, a. Etym: [Columella + -form.]
Defn: Shaped like a little column, or columella.
COLUMN Col"umn, n. Etym: [L. columna, fr. columen, culmen, fr. cellere (used only in comp.), akin to E. excel, and prob. to holm. See Holm, and cf. Colonel.]
1. (Arch.)
Defn: A kind of pillar; a cylindrical or polygonal support for a roof, ceiling, statue, etc., somewhat ornamented, and usually composed of base, shaft, and capital. See Order.
2. Anything resembling, in form or position, a column an architecture; an upright body or mass; a shaft or obelisk; as, a column of air, of water, of mercury, etc. ; the Column Vendôme; the spinal column.
3. (Mil.) (a) A body of troops formed in ranks, one behind the other; — contradistinguished from line. Compare Ploy, and Deploy. (b) A small army.
4. (Naut.)