(Biology & Anatomy)a short microscopic hair-like vibrating structure. Cilia occur in large numbers on the surface of certain cells, either causing currents in the surrounding fluid, or, in some protozoans and other small organisms, providing propulsion (生,剖)纤毛 ■an eyelash, or a delicate hair-like structure that resembles one 睫毛;细毛
派生 ciliated adjective ciliation noun 语源
early 18th cent. (in the sense 'eyelash'): from Latin