Papilla
/pəˈpɪl.ə/noun
A small nipple-like projection or elevated structure, especially on the skin or tongue.
Did you know?The same Latin root behind papilla also gave English “pupil” in the sense of the tiny eye-image, because early observers saw a miniature person reflected in the pupil.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*pap-
“to suck, to nurse; possibly a baby-talk root”
Classical Latin
Latin
papilla
“nipple, teat; also a small nipple-like projection”
Late Latin
Latin
papilla
“used for small rounded projections in anatomy”
Old French
Old French
papille
“nipple; small fleshy projection”
Modern English
English
papilla
“a small nipple-like projection, especially on the tongue, skin, or a plant structure”