Follicle
/ˈfɒl.ɪ.kəl/noun
A small sac or cavity in the body, especially one that contains a developing hair or egg cell.
Did you know?Follicle comes from Latin folliculus, a diminutive of follis, meaning a bellows or inflated bag, so the word’s ancient image is basically a small breathing sack.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bhel-
“to blow, swell, or inflate”
Latin
Latin
follis
“a bellows; a bag or inflated sack”
Latin
Latin
folliculus
“a small bag or pouch; a little husk”
Late Latin
LL
folliculus
“a small sac, husk, or capsule”
Middle English
English
folicule
“a small sac or sheath”
Modern English
English
follicle
“a small sac or cavity in the body, especially one containing a hair or an egg cell”