papilla

[ puh-pil-uh ]

noun

, plural pa·pil·lae [p, uh, -, pil, -ee].

1. any small, nipplelike process or projection.
2. one of certain small protuberances concerned with the senses of touch, taste, and smell:

   the papillae of the tongue.

3. a small vascular process at the root of a hair.
4. a papule or pimple.

papilla

/ pəˈpɪlə /

noun

1. the small projection of tissue at the base of a hair, tooth, or feather
2. any other similar protuberance
3. any minute blunt hair or process occurring in plants

papilla

/ pə-pĭl′ə /

, Plural papillae pə-pĭl′ē

1. A small part projecting from the surface of an organism. In mammals, the nipples of the mammary glands and the taste buds of the tongue are papillae. Papillae are often seen on the undersurfaces of mosses and ferns.

Derived Forms

• paˈpillary, adjective

Other Words From

• pap·il·lar [pap, -, uh, -ler, p, uh, -, pil, -er], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of papilla¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin: nipple, teat, diminutive of papula pimple. See pap ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of papilla¹

C18: from Latin: nipple; related to Latin papula pimple

Example Sentences

Each Wolffian duct ends blindly in front, and the two unite behind to open by a common papilla into the cloaca.

From Project Gutenberg

Papillif′erous, papillate: bearing one or more fleshy excrescences; Papill′iform, like a papilla in form.

From Project Gutenberg

In case of failure to destroy an individual papilla, should a second attempt be made at the same sitting?

From Project Gutenberg

A short time after the appearance of the vacuoles the entire conidium extends itself so that the papilla disappears.

From Project Gutenberg

A highly vascular dermal papilla projects into the base of the hair.

From Project Gutenberg