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villiform

American  
[vil-uh-fawrm] / ˈvɪl əˌfɔrm /

adjective

  1. having the form of a villus.

  2. shaped and set so as to resemble the pile of velvet, as the teeth of certain fishes.


villiform British  
/ ˈvɪlɪˌfɔːm /

adjective

  1. having the form of a villus or a series of villi

"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

Etymology

Origin of villiform

From the New Latin word villiformis, dating back to 1840–50. See villus, -i-, -form

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.

In spite of their name, the small fishes called Cyprinodonts are in no way related to the Cyprinids, or carp family, but are near allies of the pike, characterized by a flat head with protractile mouth beset with cardiform, villiform, or compressed, bi- or tri-cuspid teeth, generally large scales, and the absence of a well-developed lateral line.

From Project Gutenberg

The teeth are disposed on the jaws in rather broad villiform bands, the individual teeth being setaceous and erect.

From Project Gutenberg

On the lower jaw the villiform teeth in front are more uniformly small, and there is an acute row of subulate teeth, which are tallest in the middle of the limbs of the jaw, beyond which, towards the corners of the mouth, there is an even row of very small teeth.

From Project Gutenberg