villus

[ vil-uhs ]
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noun,plural vil·li [vil-ahy]. /ˈvɪl aɪ/.
  1. Anatomy, Zoology. one of the minute, wormlike processes on certain membranes, especially on the mucous membrane of the small intestine, where they serve in absorbing nutriment.

  2. Botany. one of the long, soft, straight hairs covering the fruit, flowers, and other parts of certain plants.

Origin of villus

1
1695–1705; <Latin: shaggy hair, thick nap

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British Dictionary definitions for villus

villus

/ (ˈvɪləs) /


nounplural villi (ˈvɪlaɪ) (usually plural)
  1. zoology anatomy any of the numerous finger-like projections of the mucous membrane lining the small intestine of many vertebrates

  2. any similar membranous process, such as any of those in the mammalian placenta

  1. botany any of various hairlike outgrowths, as from the stem of a moss

Origin of villus

1
C18: from Latin: shaggy hair

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for villus

villus

[ vĭləs ]


Plural villi (vĭlī)
  1. A small projection on the surface of a mucous membrane, such as that of the small intestine.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.