microvillus

noun

mi·​cro·​vil·​lus ˌmī-krō-ˈvi-ləs 

plural microvilli ˌmī-krō-ˈvi-ˌlī  -(ˌ)lē 

: a microscopic projection of a tissue, cell, or cell organelle

especially : any of the fingerlike outward projections of some cell surfaces

microvillar

ˌmī-krō-ˈvi-lər 

adjective

microvillous

ˌmī-krō-ˈvi-ləs 

adjective

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

microvillus

noun

mi·​cro·​vil·​lus -ˈvil-əs 

plural microvilli -ˌlī 

: a microscopic projection of a tissue, cell, or cell organelle

especially : any of the fingerlike outward projections of some cell surfaces

microvillar

-ˈvil-ər 

adjective

microvillous

-ˈvil-əs 

adjective