tonsils'

ton·sil   (tŏn'səl)    n.  A small oral mass of lymphoid tissue, especially either of two such masses embedded in the lateral walls of the opening between the mouth and the pharynx, of uncertain function, but believed to help protect the body from respiratory infections. [From Latin tōnsillae, tonsils, diminutive of tōlēs, swollen tonsils.] ton'sil·lar adj.

tonsil 

Main Entry: ton·sil
Pronunciation: 'tän(t)-s&l
Function: noun
1 a : either of a pair of prominent masses of lymphoid tissue that lieone on each side of the throat between the anterior and posterior pillars of the fauces and are composed of lymph follicles grouped around one or more deep crypts and except for the exposed surfacewhich is covered only by epithelium are surrounded by diffuse lymphoid tissue in a fibrous capsule called also palatine tonsil b : PHARYNGEAL TONSIL c : LINGUALTONSIL
2 : a rounded prominence situated medially on the lower surface of each lateral hemisphere of the cerebellum tonsils>

tonsil ton·sil (tŏn'səl)
n.

1. A collection of lymphoid tissue.

2. A small oral mass of lymphoid tissue, especially either of two such masses embedded in the lateral walls of the opening between the mouth and the pharynx, of uncertain function, but believed to help protect the body from respiratory infections. Also called faucial tonsil, palatine tonsil.