kinocilium

K5I1N1O1C3I1L1I1U1M3
/ˌkaɪnəˈsɪliəm/

noun

A special type of cilium on the apex of hair cells, located in the sensory epithelium of the vertebrate inner ear and involved in the senses of movement and hearing.

OriginAncient Greek κινέω ← Latin cilium →
Scrabble 18
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Meanings

nounkinocilium (plural kinocilia)

plural kinocilia

  1. A special type of cilium on the apex of hair cells, located in the sensory epithelium of the vertebrate inner ear and involved in the senses of movement and hearing.

Origin

  1. Latincilium“eyelid”
  2. Ancient Greekκινέω“to move, put in motion”
  3. Englishkinocilium

From Ancient Greek κινέω (kinéō, “to move, put in motion”) + Latin cilium (“eyelid”)

More words from Ancient Greek, Latin

Full word history & related roots →

Rhymes & wordplay

Rhymes with kinocilium

Williamileumiliumciliummiliumpileumreptiliumsubiliumsuperciliumsuprailium
All rhymes →
Cite this entry
APA

kinocilium. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/kinocilium

MLA

“kinocilium.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/kinocilium. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “kinocilium,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/kinocilium.

Source: kinocilium on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.