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papilla

Pronunciation: /pəˈpɪlə/
Definition of papilla

noun (plural papillae /-liː/)

  • a small rounded protuberance on a part or organ of the body: as food touches the tongue it comes into contact with the sensory papillae
  • a small fleshy projection on a plant.

Derivatives

papillary

adjective

papillate

Pronunciation: /ˈpapɪleɪt, pəˈpɪlət/
adjective

papillose

Pronunciation: /ˈpapɪləʊs/
adjective

Origin:

late 17th century: from Latin, literally 'nipple', diminutive of papula 'small protuberance'

papilla in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of papilla in the US English dictionary

Nearby words

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