cilia
[ sil-ee-uh ]
/ ˈsɪl i ə /
plural noun, singular cil·i·um [sil-ee-uh m] /ˈsɪl i əm/.
Biology. minute hairlike organelles, identical in structure to flagella, that line the surfaces of certain cells and beat in rhythmic waves, providing locomotion to ciliate protozoans and moving liquids along internal epithelial tissue in animals.
Anatomy. the eyelashes.
Nearby words
ciggy, cigs, ciguatera, cilantro, cili-, cilia, ciliarotomy, ciliary, ciliary artery, ciliary body, ciliary disk
Origin of cilia
1705–15; New Latin, plural of cilium eyelash, Latin: upper eyelid, perhaps a back formation from supercilium eyebrow; see supercilium
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Examples from the Web for cilia
British Dictionary definitions for cilia
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for cilia
cilia
1715, from Latin cilia, plural of cilium "eyelid, eyelash," perhaps related to celare "to cover, hide," from PIE root *kel- "to conceal" (see cell), but words for this part of the face can be tricky (see brow). It sometimes is pluralized in English, which is an error. Related: Ciliated; ciliary; ciliate.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Science definitions for cilia
cilium
[ sĭl′ē-əm ]
Plural cilia
A tiny hairlike projection on the surface of some cells and microscopic organisms, especially protozoans. Cilia are capable of whipping motions and are used by some microorganisms, such as paramecia, for movement. Cilia lining the human respiratory tract act to remove foreign matter from air before it reaches the lungs.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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