ALA, one of the side recesses which almost universally opened off the atrium (q.v.) of a Roman house. There were usually two alae, one on each side, placed near the corners furthest from the entrance, and like the tablinune or official reception hall, their entire width was open to the atrium. In physiology, any wing like process such as one of the lateral cartilages of the nose (Lat. ala, a wing). In botany, one of the side petals of a papilionaceous corolla, etc.