Villous
/ˈvɪl.əs/noun
Covered with or resembling fine hairs, fibers, or small projections.
Did you know?The intestinal villi are called villi because their finger-like projections resemble tiny hairs or tufts, directly echoing the Latin imagery behind the word.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European (reconstructed)
PIE
*wel-
“A reconstructed root associated with wool, hair, or plucking; the connection to Latin villus is generally treated as probable rather than certain.”
Classical Latin
Latin
villus
“A tuft of hair, shaggy hair, or the nap of a fabric.”
Classical Latin
Latin
villosus
“Hairy, shaggy, or covered with tufts; formed from villus.”
17th Century
English
villous
“Hairy or covered with fine soft projections, especially in botanical and anatomical description.”
Modern English
English
villous
“Having villi or resembling a surface covered with fine hairs or projections.”