Graafian follicle

[ grah-fee-uhn ]

/ ˈgrɑ fi ən /

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noun (sometimes lowercase)

one of the small vesicles containing a developing ovum in the ovary of a mammal.

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Origin of Graafian follicle

1835–45; named after Regnier de Graaf (died 1673), Dutch anatomist; see -ian

Words nearby Graafian follicle

gps, GPU, GQ, gr, GR8, Graafian follicle, grab, grab bag, grab bar, grabber, grabble

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Graafian follicle in a sentence

Mitt Romney, who has reverted to the not-a-follicle-out-of-place hairstyle, never really got up the gumption to hit Newt.
Paul Begala: Newt's Shameless Chutzpah Saves Him in Fox Debate|Paul Begala|December 16, 2011|DAILY BEAST
First up is John Edwards, who will show Romney how to achieve that dry-hair look while keeping every follicle in place.
Runaway Governor: The Sequel|Kathleen Parker|June 23, 2009|DAILY BEAST
High levels of Follicle Stimulating Hormone knocks us out of contention, unless we go to a specialist clinic.
Nobody Loves My $20,000 Baby|Daniel Nester|December 3, 2008|DAILY BEAST
I propose dealing separately with the several constituents of the egg-follicle.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume 1|Francis Maitland Balfour

Foulis regards the zona pellucida as a product of the ovum and not of the follicle.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume 1|Francis Maitland Balfour
The membrane would seem indeed to be formed in some instances even before the ovum has a definite investment of follicle cells.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume 1|Francis Maitland Balfour
There can, it appears to me, be no question that both varieties of cell are derived from the primitive uniform follicle cells.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume 1|Francis Maitland Balfour
The cells are flat, but extended so as to appear of an unexpected size in views of the surface of the follicle.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume 1|Francis Maitland Balfour

British Dictionary definitions for Graafian follicle

Graafian follicle

/ (ˈɡrɑːfɪən) /

noun

a fluid-filled vesicle in the mammalian ovary containing a developing egg cell

Word Origin for Graafian follicle

C17: named after R. de Graaf (1641–73), Dutch anatomist

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