'ciliiform' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'cilium' (meaning 'eyelash'), combined with Latin 'forma' (meaning 'shape' or 'form').

'cilium' was used in New/Scientific Latin to refer to fine hairlike structures; from the combining form 'cili-' plus the suffix '-form' (from Latin 'forma') the English adjective 'ciliiform' was formed to mean 'having the form of cilia'.

Initially related etymologically to 'eyelash' ('cilium'), but in modern biological and descriptive use it evolved to mean broadly 'hair-like' or 'bearing cilia'.