View synonyms for cilium

cilium

[ sil-ee-uhm ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

cilium

/ ˈsɪlɪəm /

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
the technical name for eyelash

cilium

/ sĭl′ē-əm /

, Plural cilia

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.

Origin of cilium¹

From Latin

Origin of cilium¹

C18: New Latin, from Latin: (lower) eyelid, eyelash

Each consists of a very slender curved filament, with a still finer filament, or cilium, arising from it on each side.

At this stage many of the spores assume each a flagellate cilium, and so acquire power of more rapid locomotion.

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