pilus

noun

pi·​lus ˈpī-ləs How to pronounce pilus (audio)
plural pili ˈpī-ˌlī How to pronounce pilus (audio)
: a hair or a structure (as on the surface of a bacterial cell) resembling a hair

Examples of pilus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Maybe each of those growths, known as a pilus, was actually a wire that latched onto the rust, Dr. Lovley thought. New York Times, 1 July 2019

Word History

Etymology

Latin

First Known Use

1760, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pilus was in 1760

Dictionary Entries Near pilus

Cite this Entry

“Pilus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pilus. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

pilus

noun
pi·​lus ˈpī-ləs How to pronounce pilus (audio)
plural pili -ˌlī How to pronounce pilus (audio)
: a hair or a structure (as on the surface of a bacterial cell) resembling a hair

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