Definition

Describing something that does not have tiny hair-like structures called cilia on its surface.

Example

The unciliated cells in the tissue were less effective at moving mucus.

Conversation

Did you know that some types of cells are unciliated?

Really? I hadn't heard that before. What does it mean?

It means they don't have tiny hair-like structures on their surface.

That’s interesting! I guess they must function differently then.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Unciliated → It is formed from "un-" (meaning not) and "ciliated" (from Latin "cilium", meaning eyelash or small hair). The word "unciliated" means not having small hair-like structures, often referring to certain types of cells or organisms that lack cilia.

Memory Tip

Think of 'not having' ('un-') those tiny 'hair-like structures' ('cilium') — that's what unciliated means.

Visually Confused Words