pilus

[ pahy-luhs ]

noun

, Biology.

, plural pi·li [pahy, -lahy].

1. a hair or hairlike structure.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pilus¹

Borrowed into English from Latin around 1955–60

Example Sentences

They observed how a phage called PP7 infects P. aeruginosa by attaching to the pilus, which then retracts and pulls the phage to the cell surface.

From Science Daily

Structural models show how bacteria switch from pilus extension to retraction.

From Science Magazine

We developed small–molecular weight compounds termed mannosides that specifically inhibit the FimH type 1 pilus lectin of UPEC, which mediates bacterial colonization, invasion, and formation of recalcitrant intracellular bacterial communities in the bladder epithelium.

From Science Magazine

As each pilus gets tugged the bacterium staggers and stumbles, moving randomly across the surface.

From US News

Page 60 as A. verna; the pilus convex, the annulus broad and entire, Changed to pileus.

From Project Gutenberg