motility

[ moh-til-i-tee ]

noun

1. Biology. the ability to move spontaneously, or the rate or degree of such movement:

   Advanced zinc deficiency can impair the motility and number of sperm.

Other Words From

• non·mo·til·i·ty noun
• su·per·mo·til·i·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of motility¹

First recorded in 1800–10; from Latin mōt-, stem of movēre “to move” + -ility ( def )

Example Sentences

"Our results showed that a subset of T cells, labeled as CD8-fit T cells, are capable of high motility and serial killing, found uniquely in patients with clinical response," reports first author and recent UH graduate Ali Rezvan in Nature Cancer.

From Science Daily

In mice, knocking out the Stk33 gene renders the mice sterile due to abnormal sperm and poor sperm motility.

From Science Daily

"We evaluated several doses and treatment schedules and then determined sperm motility and number in the mice as well as their ability to fertilize females."

From Science Daily

Compound CDD-2807 effectively crossed the blood-testis barrier and reduced sperm motility and numbers and mice fertility at low doses.

From Science Daily

"Importantly, the contraceptive effect was reversible. After a period without compound CDD-2807, the mice recovered sperm motility and numbers and were fertile again."

From Science Daily

Related Words

• act
• action
• change
• development
• evolution
• exercise
• flow
• migration
• move
• operation
• progress
• shift