hilum

[ hahy-luh m ]
/ ˈhaɪ ləm /

noun, plural hi·la [hahy-luh] /ˈhaɪ lə/.

Botany.
  1. the mark or scar on a seed produced by separation from its funicle or placenta.
  2. the nucleus of a granule of starch.
Mycology. a mark or scar on a spore at the point of attachment to the spore-bearing structure.
Anatomy. the region at which the vessels, nerves, etc., enter or emerge from a part.

Origin of hilum

1650–60; < New Latin; Latin: little thing, trifle; see nil

OTHER WORDS FROM hilum

hi·lar, adjective

Words nearby hilum

hilo, hilt, hilton, hilton's law, hilton's white line, hilum, hilus, hilus cell, hilversum, him, himachal pradesh

Example sentences from the Web for hilar

  • Her ascension to the throne of a goddess would virtually make him ruler of Hilar.

    The Goddess of Atvatabar |William R. Bradshaw

British Dictionary definitions for hilar

hilum
/ (ˈhaɪləm) /

noun plural -la (-lə)

botany
  1. a scar on the surface of a seed marking its point of attachment to the seed stalk (funicle)
  2. the nucleus of a starch grain
a deep fissure or depression on the surface of a bodily organ around the point of entrance or exit of vessels, nerves, or ducts

Word Origin for hilum

C17: from Latin: trifle; see nihil

Medical definitions for hilar (1 of 2)

hilar
[ hī′lər ]

adj.

Of or relating to a hilum.

Medical definitions for hilar (2 of 2)

hilum
[ hī′ləm ]

n. pl. hi•la (-lə)

A depression or slit-like opening through which nerves, ducts, or blood vessels enter and leave in an organ or a gland. porta

Other words from hilum

hi′lar (-lər) adj.

Scientific definitions for hilar

hilum
[ hī′ləm ]

Plural hila

A mark or scar on a seed, such as a bean, showing where it was formerly attached to the plant. The hilum indicates the point of attachment of the funiculus.
A depression or opening through which nerves, ducts, or blood vessels pass in an organ or a gland, as in the medial aspect of the lungs or the kidneys .