sensillum

noun

sen·​sil·​lum sen-ˈsi-ləm How to pronounce sensillum (audio)
variants or less commonly sensilla
sen-ˈsi-lə How to pronounce sensillum (audio)
plural sensilla sen-ˈsi-lə How to pronounce sensillum (audio) also sensillae sen-ˈsi-(ˌ)lē How to pronounce sensillum (audio)
: a simple epithelial sense organ of an invertebrate (such as an insect) usually in the form of a spine, plate, rod, cone, or peg that is composed of one or a few cells with a nerve connection

Word History

Etymology

New Latin sensillum, diminutive of Medieval Latin sensus sense organ, from Latin, sense

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sensillum was in 1882

Dictionary Entries Near sensillum

sensile

sensillum

sensimotor

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Sensillum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sensillum. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on sensillum

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sensillum

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See All

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Plural and Possessive Names: A Guide

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See All

Popular in Wordplay

See All

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

9 Superb Owl Words

15 Words That Used to Mean Something Different
See All

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
little chihuahua dressing like a turkey for thanksgiving
Is That Gratitude or Attitude? A Thanksgiving Quiz Decide which words express gratitude and which gi...