capillary
|ca-pil-lar-y|
/kəˈpɪləri/
hair-like tube
Etymology
'capillary' originates from Late Latin, specifically the word 'capillaris', where 'capillus' meant 'hair'.
'capillary' developed from Latin 'capillus' → Late Latin 'capillaris' and entered English via Medieval/Scientific Latin and French to become 'capillary' in modern English.
Initially it meant 'pertaining to hair', but over time it evolved into its current meanings of 'relating to hairlike tubes' and specifically 'relating to very small blood vessels or capillary action'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a very small blood vessel that connects arterioles and venules and allows exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste between blood and tissues.
Capillaries are where oxygen and nutrients pass from the blood into tissues.
Synonyms
Noun 2
a very thin tube or hairlike channel (used of natural or manufactured tubes).
The lab used capillaries to move minute amounts of liquid for the test.
Synonyms
Adjective 1
relating to or resembling a capillary or capillaries; very fine or hairlike.
Capillary blood flow is important for delivering nutrients to cells.
Synonyms
Adjective 2
operating by capillarity (capillary action) — able to draw liquid into narrow spaces.
Capillary tubing allowed the water to climb against gravity in the experiment.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/30 20:14