Definition

1. Noun:
   • A short, curved hair growing from the edge of an eyelid: A cilium is one of the small hairs that form a fringe along the eyelid to protect the eye.
   • A microscopic, hairlike projection from the surface of a cell: In biology, a cilium is a slender protuberance that can beat rhythmically, providing movement for a cell or moving fluid over a cell's surface.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Eyelash):

  • A single cilium became loose and fell onto her cheek.
  • The doctor examined the inflammation at the base of the cilium.

• Noun (Cell Biology):

  • The paramecium moves by the coordinated beating of its cilia.
  • Cilia lining the respiratory tract help to move mucus out of the lungs.

Advanced Usage

• "Motile cilium": A type of cilium that moves actively, often used for locomotion or to move substances.

  • Sperm cells use a single, long motile cilium called a flagellum for swimming.

• "Primary cilium": A non-motile sensory cilium found on most vertebrate cells, acting as a cellular antenna.

  • The primary cilium is crucial for detecting chemical signals in the environment.

Variants and Related Words

• Ciliary (adj): Relating to or involving cilia.

  • The ciliary muscle controls the shape of the lens in the eye.

• Ciliate (n/adj): (n) A single-celled organism that moves using cilia. (adj) Having cilia.

  • Paramecium is a well-known ciliate.

Synonyms

• Eyelash: Specifically for the anatomical meaning.
• Lash: Informal term for an eyelash.
• Flagellum: A similar, longer, whiplike cellular structure used for movement (related but distinct term).

Related Phrases

(Note: "Cilium" is a technical/scientific noun and does not form standard phrasal verbs or idioms in everyday English.)

• Ciliary beating: The rhythmic motion of cilia.

  • Ciliary beating frequency can be measured under a microscope.

• Ciliary dysfunction: A failure of cilia to function correctly, which can cause diseases.

  • Primary ciliary dyskinesia is a genetic disorder of ciliary dysfunction.

Noun

1. any of the short curved hairs that grow from the edges of the eyelids
2. a hairlike projection from the surface of a cell; provides locomotion in free-swimming unicellular organisms