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cilia
[ sil-ee-uh ]
/ ˈsɪl i ə /
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plural noun, singular cil·i·um [sil-ee-uhm]. /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.
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Origin of cilia
1705–15; New Latin, plural of cilium eyelash, Latin: upper eyelid, perhaps a back formation from supercilium eyebrow; see supercilium
Words nearby cilia
Cigfa, ciggy, CIGS, ciguatera, cilantro, cilia, ciliary, ciliary body, ciliary muscle, ciliary process, Ciliata
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
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British Dictionary definitions for cilia
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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