villus

[ vil-uhs ]

/ ˈvɪl əs /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for villus on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural vil·li

[vil-ahy]. /ˈvɪl aɪ/.

Anatomy, Zoology. one of the minute, wormlike processes on certain membranes, especially on the mucous membrane of the small intestine, where they serve in absorbing nutriment.

Botany. one of the long, soft, straight hairs covering the fruit, flowers, and other parts of certain plants.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of villus

1695–1705; <Latin: shaggy hair, thick nap

Words nearby villus

Villon, Villon, François, villose, villosity, villous, villus, Vilma, Vilnius, Vilyui, vim, vimana

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

How to use villus in a sentence

Villi: soft hairs or papillate processes: plural of villus, q.v.
Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology|John. B. Smith
Collectively, these structures are called the villi (singular villus).
A Civic Biology|George William Hunter
Villus: a short, hair-like or papillate process on the surface of certain absorbent and sensory organs.
Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology|John. B. Smith

British Dictionary definitions for villus

villus

/ (ˈvɪləs) /

noun plural villi (ˈvɪlaɪ) (usually plural)

zoology anatomy any of the numerous finger-like projections of the mucous membrane lining the small intestine of many vertebrates

any similar membranous process, such as any of those in the mammalian placenta

botany any of various hairlike outgrowths, as from the stem of a moss

Word Origin for villus

C18: from Latin: shaggy hair

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