cilio-, cili-, cil-

A fine hairlike projection from a cell; such as, those in the respiratory tract.

Cilia can help to sweep away fluids and particles. Some single-celled organisms use the rhythmical motion of cilia for locomotion.

Cilium is Latin referring to the edge of the eyelid and, much later, to the eyelashes. In the same sense, cilia came to refer to the fine hairlike projections from cells.

1. Having many cilia or hairlike projections from the surface of a cell; providing locomotion in free-swimming unicellular organisms.
2. Many tiny projecting threads, found with many others on a cell or microscopic organism, that beats rhythmically to aid the movement of a fluid past the cell or movement of the organism through liquid.
3. Any of the many short curved hairs that grow from the edges of the eyelids.

1. In some hydroids (freshwater coelenterates or invertebrates; such as, jellyfish), a filamentous tactile or touching process: Such palpocils, or sensory filaments, can be detected on sea anemones and corals.
2. A minute soft filamentary process springing from the surface of certain hydroids and sponges: The palpocils are tactile hairs appearing on coelenterates, which are animals with a saclike body with only one opening and tentacles with stinging parts, and occur in medusa and polyp forms.

Of or relating to igneous rocks (formed from liquid rock from volcanos that becomes solid as it gets cold) exhibiting granulation and deformation of earlier-formed crystals of constituent minerals, because of the differential flow of the magma before consolidation.

1. Conveying a feeling that is suggestive of contempt: Hank curled his lip in a supercilious smile when he expressed a better solution to his wife.
2. Descriptive of a person's mannerism which shows arrogant superiority to and disdain of those someone views as unworthy: Mark's mother looked at his clothes with a supercilious attitude.
3. Characteristic of someone's behavior which is disdainful or contemptuous and characterized by pride or scorn: Anyone who arches his or her eyebrows and looks down their nose at someone else is showing "a high brow" or supercilious face.
4. Etymology: from Latin super, "above" + cilium, "eyelid".

When someone raises his or her eyebrows, it doesn't necessarily mean that that person is disdainful, contemptuous, etc. Such action may also express surprise, curiosity, etc.

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1. Of superior eminence, rank, or dignity.
2. Distinguished, conspicuous, or worthy of note above others.

Eminent in a superior degree; surpassing others in excellence; such as, a supereminent divine.

1. Characterized by superior eminence, rank, or dignity.
2. A reference to being distinguished, conspicuous, or worthy of note above others.