What does "cilia" mean?
Cilia: (Biol.) Small, generally microscopic, vibrating appendages lining certain organs, as the air passages of the higher animals, and in the lower animals often covering also the whole or a part of the exterior. They are also found on some vegetable organisms. In the Infusoria, and many larval forms, they are locomotive organs.
Additional senses
- 2.(Bot.) Hairlike processes, commonly marginal and forming a fringe like the eyelash.
- 3.(Zoöl.) Small, vibratory, swimming organs, somewhat resembling true cilia, as those of Ctenophora.
Sources
- Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).
- Canonical URL: https://worddirectanswers.com/answers/what-does-cilia-mean
- Steward: Jason Burns
- Published: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00 · Modified: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00