cilium

cil·i·um  (sl-m)

n. pl. cil·i·a (--)

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.

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[Latin, eyelid; see kel-¹ in Indo-European roots.]

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cilium

Noun

pl cilia Biol

1. any of the short threads projecting from a cell or organism, whose rhythmic beating causes movement

2. an eyelash [Latin]

ciliary adj

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cilium  (sl-m)

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.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	cilium - a hairlike projection from the surface of a cell; provides locomotion in free-swimming unicellular organisms cell organ, cell organelle, organelle - a specialized part of a cell; analogous to an organ; "the first organelle to be identified was the nucleus"
	2.	cilium - any of the short curved hairs that grow from the edges of the eyelids eyelash, lash hair - a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss; "he combed his hair"; "each hair consists of layers of dead keratinized cells" eyelid, lid, palpebra - either of two folds of skin that can be moved to cover or open the eye; "his lids would stay open no longer"