Main Entry:

fol·li·cle

Pronunciation:

\ˈfä-li-kəl\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

New Latin folliculus, from Latin, diminutive of follis bag — more at fool

Date:

1646

1 a: a small anatomical cavity or deep narrow-mouthed depression b: a small lymph node c: a vesicle in the mammalian ovary that contains a developing egg surrounded by a covering of cells ; especially : graafian follicle2: a dry dehiscent one-celled many-seeded fruit (as of the milkweed) that has a single carpel and opens along one suture

— fol·lic·u·lar \fə-ˈli-kyə-lər, fä-\ adjective