Cilia

Pronunciation: /ˈsɪliə/

Definitions of cilia

noun Cilia are small, hair-like structures found on the surface of cells in the human body. They are involved in various functions such as movement and sensing the environment.

Example Sentences

A1 Cilia are tiny hair-like structures found in the respiratory system.

A2 Some organisms use cilia for movement through water.

B1 The cilia in your nose help to filter out dust and particles from the air you breathe.

B2 Cilia play a crucial role in the clearance of mucus from the lungs.

C1 The coordinated movement of cilia is essential for proper functioning of the reproductive system.

C2 Defects in cilia structure can lead to serious genetic disorders known as ciliopathies.

Examples of cilia in a Sentence

formal The cilia lining the respiratory tract help to sweep mucus and debris out of the lungs.

informal I heard that smoking can damage the cilia in your lungs.

slang I can't believe how long her cilia are, they look like spider legs!

figurative The cilia of society are constantly working to filter out negativity and promote positivity.

Grammatical Forms of cilia

• plural: cilia
• present tense: cilia
• future tense: will cilia
• perfect tense: have cilia
• continuous tense: is cilia
• singular: cilium
• infinitive: to cilia
• gerund: ciliating
• participle: ciliated

Origin and Evolution of cilia

First Known Use: 1706 year

Language of Origin: Latin

Story behind the word: The word 'cilia' originated from the Latin word 'cilium' meaning eyelid or eyelash.

Evolution of the word: Initially used to refer to the eyelashes, the term 'cilia' later came to be used in biology to describe the small hair-like structures found on cells that aid in movement and sensory functions.