noun, plural vil·li [vil-ahy] /ˈvɪl aɪ/.
- Anatomy, Zoology. one of the minute, wormlike processes on certain membranes, especially on the mucous membrane of the small intestine, where they serve in absorbing nutriment.
- Botany. one of the long, soft, straight hairs covering the fruit, flowers, and other parts of certain plants.
noun
- the plural of villus
noun plural villi (ˈvɪlaɪ) (usually plural)
- zoology anatomy any of the numerous finger-like projections of the mucous membrane lining the small intestine of many vertebrates
- any similar membranous process, such as any of those in the mammalian placenta
- botany any of various hairlike outgrowths, as from the stem of a moss
1704, plural villi, from Latin villus “tuft of hair, shaggy hair” (see velvet).
n. pl. vil•li (vĭl′ī)
- A minute projection arising from a mucous membrane, especially one of the vascular projections of the small intestine.
- Such a projection of the chorion that contributes to placental formation in mammals.
Plural villi (vĭl′ī)
- A small projection on the surface of a mucous membrane, such as that of the small intestine.