In biology, lacking cilia; without the hair-like structures that organisms use for movement or filtering.
From prefix 'e-' (without) + 'ciliate' (from Latin 'cilium,' meaning 'eyelash' or 'hair'). This term developed in microbiology to distinguish organisms based on the presence or absence of cilia.
Cilia look like microscopic eyelashes and perform amazing jobs—some beat in waves to move organisms, others filter food—so 'eciliate' organisms are basically swimming or eating at a serious disadvantage without these biological oars.
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