A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Ca Ce Ch Ci Cl Co Cr Cy
Cil Cir Civ

Cilium

/ˈsilēəm/

Noun ,pl. cilia

1. (Cytology)
An organelle found in eukaryotic cells. Cilia are slender protuberances that project from the much larger cell body. (wikipedia.org)

2. A hairlike organelle projecting from a eukaryotic cell (such as unicellular organism or one cell of a multicelled organism). These structures serve either for locomotion by moving or as sensors. (wiktionary.org)

3. A short, microscopic, hairlike vibrating structure. Cilia occur in large numbers on the surface of certain cells, either causing currents in the surrounding fluid, or, in some protozoans and other small organisms, providing propulsion. (Google Dictionary)

4. (Biology)
Microscopic, hair-like projection on the surfaces of some cells and of certain organisms. (biology-online.org)

5. (Botany)
Any of the hair forming a fringe along the margin or edge of a plant structure, e.g. of a leaf. (biology-online.org)

6. (Anatomy)
The eyelash (biology-online.org) or a delicate hairlike structure that resembles one (Google Dictionary).

Word origin: From Proto-Indo-European *ḱel-yo-m, which is derived from Proto-Indo-European *ḱel– (“to cover”).

Related Entries