villus
[ vil-uh s ]
/ ˈvɪl əs /
noun, plural vil·li [vil-ahy] /ˈvɪl aɪ/.
Anatomy, Zoology.
one of the minute, wormlike processes on certain membranes, especially on the mucous membrane of the small intestine, where they serve in absorbing nutriment.
Botany.
one of the long, soft, straight hairs covering the fruit, flowers, and other parts of certain plants.
Origin of villus
1695–1705; < Latin: shaggy hair, thick nap
Words nearby villus
villosity,
villous,
villous adenoma,
villous carcinoma,
villous tenosynovitis,
villus,
villusectomy,
vilma,
vilnius,
vilyui,
vim
Example sentences from the Web for villi
British Dictionary definitions for villi (1 of 2)
British Dictionary definitions for villi (2 of 2)
villus
/ (ˈvɪləs) /
noun plural villi (ˈvɪlaɪ) (usually plural)
zoology anatomy
any of the numerous finger-like projections of the mucous membrane lining the small intestine of many vertebrates
any similar membranous process, such as any of those in the mammalian placenta
botany
any of various hairlike outgrowths, as from the stem of a moss
Word Origin for villus
C18: from Latin: shaggy hair
Medical definitions for villi
villus
[ vĭl′əs ]
n. pl. vil•li (vĭl′ī)
A minute projection arising from a mucous membrane, especially one of the vascular projections of the small intestine.
Such a projection of the chorion that contributes to placental formation in mammals.
Scientific definitions for villi
villus
[ vĭl′əs ]
Plural villi (vĭl′ī)
A small projection on the surface of a mucous membrane, such as that of the small intestine.