Main Entry:

ton·sil

Pronunciation:

\ˈtän(t)-səl\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Latin tonsillae, plural, tonsils

Date:

1601

1 : either of a pair of prominent masses of lymphoid tissue that lie one on each side of the throat between two folds of soft tissue that bound the fauces 2 : any of various masses of lymphoid tissue (as the adenoids) that are similar to tonsils

— ton·sil·lar \ˈtän(t)-s(ə-)lər\ adjective