Ciliolum

/sɪliˈoʊləm/ noun

Definition

A small cilium; a diminutive form of cilium used in scientific descriptions of microscopic organisms.

Etymology

From Latin 'cilium' (eyelash) with the diminutive suffix '-olum.' This Latinate term is part of scientific nomenclature used to describe cellular ultrastructure with precise gradations of size.

Kelly Says

The Latin suffix '-olum' is basically the scientific world's way of saying 'teeny-weeny'—it lets researchers talk about structures so small they're invisible without an electron microscope.

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