cilium

Plural: cilia

Noun

• A short, hairlike projection from the surface of a cell.
• a hairlike projection from the surface of a cell; provides locomotion in free-swimming unicellular organisms
• any of the short curved hairs that grow from the edges of the eyelids
• A short microscopic hairlike organelle projecting from a eukaryotic cell (such as a unicellular organism or one cell of a multicelled organism) which serve either for propulsion by causing currents in the surrounding fluid or as sensors.
• One of the fine hairs along an insect's wing.
• One of the hairs or similar protrusions along the margin of an organ.
• An eyelash.

Examples

• The single tile placement was as precise as a cilium’s movement on a cell.

Synonyms

eyelash, lash

Related Words

flagellum, supercilium