villous

[ vil-uhs ]

adjective

1. covered with or of the nature of villi.
2. having villiform processes.
3. Botany. pubescent with long and soft hairs that are not interwoven.

villous

/ ˈvɪləs /

adjective

1. (of plant parts) covered with long hairs
2. of, relating to, or having villi

Derived Forms

• ˈvillously, adverb

Other Words From

• villous·ly adverb
• inter·villous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of villous¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; villose, -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of villous¹

C14: from Latin villōsus, from villus tuft of hair

Example Sentences

The 33-mer DGP fits perfectly with HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8 and triggers an immune response, leading to inflammation and small intestine villous atrophy.

From Science Daily

Comprehensive gene expression profiling of Peyer’s patch M cells, villous M-like cells, and intestinal epithelial cells.

From Nature

For conventional adenomas, high-grade dysplasia is related to larger adenoma size and a villous component and is an important risk factor for metastasizing cancer.

From Nature

The region of the intestinal tract with the poorest coverage of protective mucous, the proximal small intestine, also has the greatest exposed epithelial surface area owing to its prominent villous structure.

From Nature

Calyx bell-shaped; the dull purplish sepals with narrow and slightly margined recurved points; tails of the fruit filiform and naked or shortly villous; leaflets 3–9, ovate or somewhat cordate, entire or 3-lobed, much reticulated; uppermost leaves often simple.—S.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• furry
• fuzzy
• shaggy
• unshaven
• woolly