vexillum
/vɛkˈsɪləm/
noun
- A flag or banner, especially one used in ancient Rome by a military unit.
- Each cohort carried its own vexillum to identify itself on the battlefield.
- Historians found a bronze vexillum in the ruins of the Roman fort.
- The legion marched behind a golden vexillum emblazoned with an eagle.
- The large, upper petal of a pea flower (such as a sweet pea or bean flower).
- Bees land on the vexillum when they visit pea flowers.
- The vexillum of the sweet pea is often a deeper shade than the other petals.
- In botany class, we learned that the vexillum helps attract pollinators.
- The vane or web of a feather (the flat part on either side of the shaft).
- The bird's feather had a damaged vexillum from the storm.
- The feather's vexillum was perfectly symmetrical.
- Under the microscope, the vexillum showed tiny interlocking barbs.