cilium

American  

[sil-ee-uhm] / ˈsɪl i əm /

noun

1. singular of cilia.

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cilium British  

/ ˈsɪlɪəm /

noun

1. any of the short thread-like projections on the surface of a cell, organism, etc, whose rhythmic beating causes movement of the organism or of the surrounding fluid

2. the technical name for eyelash

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cilium Scientific  

/ sĭl′ē-əm /

cilia plural

1. 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.

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Etymology

Origin of cilium

From Latin

Related Words

• eyebrow
• fiber
• fur
• grass
• haircut
• hairstyle
• mane
• sideburn
• strand
• wig
• wool