follicle
Americannoun
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Anatomy.
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a small cavity, sac, or gland.
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one of the small ovarian sacs containing an immature ovum; Graafian follicle.
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Botany. a dry seed vessel, or pod, consisting of a single carpel, splitting at maturity only along the front part of the suture.
noun
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any small sac or cavity in the body having an excretory, secretory, or protective function
a hair follicle
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botany a dry fruit, formed from a single carpel, that splits along one side only to release its seeds: occurs in larkspur and columbine
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A small, protective sac, gland, or cluster of cells in the body. In mammals, unfertilized eggs develop in follicles located in the ovaries. Hair grows from follicles in the skin.
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A dry, dehiscent fruit that develops from a single carpel, has a single chamber, and splits open along only one seam to release its seeds. The pod of the milkweed and the fruit of the magnolia are follicles.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of follicle
First recorded in 1640–50, follicle is from the Latin word folliculus small bag, shell, pod. See follis, -cle 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Follicle cells produce the hormone inhibin, which inhibits FSH production.
From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022
Through coverage on sites like Follicle Thought, RiverTown is now a cult favorite in the hair-loss community.
From The New Yorker • Jun. 7, 2018
Joseph is the pseudonymous proprietor of the Web site Follicle Thought, a popular destination for hair-loss obsessives.
From The New Yorker • Jun. 7, 2018
Follicle after follicle decided to bid me adieu from that point onward.
From Salon • May 15, 2015
Follicle: = cocoon, q.v.: a cellular sac or tube, as of a gland or ovary.
From Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology by Smith, John. B.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
