Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Patella \Pa*tel"la\, n.; pl. {Patell[ae]}. [L., a small pan, the
   kneepan, dim. of patina, patena, a pan, dish.]
   1. A small dish, pan, or vase.

   2. (Anat.) The kneepan; the cap of the knee.

Source : WordNet®

patella
     n 1: a small flat triangular bone in front of the knee that
          protects the knee joint [syn: {kneecap}, {kneepan}]
     2: type genus of the family Patellidae: common European limpets
        [syn: {genus Patella}]
     [also: {patellae} (pl)]