cilia Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a hairlike projection from the surface of a cell; provides locomotion in free-swimming unicellular organisms
    cilium.
  2. noun any of the short curved hairs that grow from the edges of the eyelids
    eyelash; lash; cilium.

WordNet

Cil"i*a noun plural
Etymology
L. cilium eyelid.
Wordforms
Cilium, the singular , is rarely used
Definitions
  1. (Anat.) The eyelashes.
  2. (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.
  3. (Bot.) Hairlike processes, commonly marginal and forming a fringe like the eyelash.
  4. (Zoöl.) Small, vibratory, swimming organs, somewhat resembling true cilia, as those of Ctenophora.

Webster 1913