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cilia

 - 8 dictionary results

cil⋅i⋅a

  [sil-ee-uh]
Use cilia in a Sentence
–plural noun, singular cil⋅i⋅um  [sil-ee-uhm] .
1. Biology. minute hairlike organelles, identical in structure to flagella, that line the surfaces of certain cells and beat in rhythmic waves, providing locomotion to ciliate protozoans and moving liquids along internal epithelial tissue in animals.
2. Anatomy. the eyelashes.
Origin:
1705–15; NL, pl. of cilium eyelash, L: upper eyelid, perh. a back formation from supercilium eyebrow; see supercilium

cil⋅i⋅um

  [sil-ee-uhm]
–noun
sing. of cilia.
Origin:
< L
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To cilia
cil·i·a   (sĭl'ē-ə)   
n.  Plural of cilium.
cil·i·um   (sĭl'ē-əm)   
n.   pl. cil·i·a (-ē-ə)

  1. A microscopic hairlike process extending from the surface of a cell or unicellular organism. Capable of rhythmical motion, it acts in unison with other such structures to bring about the movement of the cell or of the surrounding medium.

  2. An eyelash.

  3. Botany One of the hairs along the margin or edge of a structure, such as a leaf, usually forming a fringe.


[Latin, eyelid; see kel-1 in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: cilia
plural of CILIUM

Main Entry: cil·i·um
Pronunciation: 'sil-E-&m
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural cil·ia /-E-&/
1 : EYELASH
2 : a minute short hairlike process often forming part of a fringe;especially : one of a cell that is capable of lashing movement and serves especially in free unicellular organisms to produce locomotion or in higher forms a current of fluid
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

cilium cil·i·um (sĭl'ē-əm)
n. pl. cil·i·a (-ē-ə)

  1. See eyelash.

  2. A microscopic hairlike process extending from the surface of a cell or unicellular organism, capable of rhythmical motion, and acting with other such structures to cause the movement of the cell or of the surrounding medium.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Science Dictionary
cilium   (sĭl'ē-əm)  Pronunciation Key 
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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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