: a small filament or fiber: such as
a
b(1)
: one of the fine threads into which a striated muscle fiber can be longitudinally split
(2)
Examples of fibril in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Misfolded proteins start to clump together into small aggregates, then bigger chains called fibrils, and finally into huge, rectangular structures called amyloid.
—
Amber Dance, Discover Magazine, 13 Apr. 2023
Five of these helices wind together to make up a microfibril, and thousands of microfibrils gather to form a fibril.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 15 June 2011
Finally, there is convincing evidence that the most readily detectable form of amyloid, known as a fibril, is not the worst type.
—Sam Gandy, STAT, 17 June 2021
Some researchers thought the mineral was mostly contained inside fibrils; others believed the mineral cladded the protein like armor.
—Angus Chen, Scientific American, 3 May 2018
The image that is a dehydration and oxidation of the linen fibers goes only two to three fibrils into the cloth.
—Joanne Berger Dumound/special To Cleveland.com., cleveland.com, 19 Feb. 2018
Perhaps the fibrils could help women eliminate bad sperm.
—Giorgia Guglielmi, Science | AAAS, 11 July 2017
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Amber Dance, Discover Magazine, 13 Apr. 2023
Five of these helices wind together to make up a microfibril, and thousands of microfibrils gather to form a fibril.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 15 June 2011
Finally, there is convincing evidence that the most readily detectable form of amyloid, known as a fibril, is not the worst type.
—Sam Gandy, STAT, 17 June 2021
Some researchers thought the mineral was mostly contained inside fibrils; others believed the mineral cladded the protein like armor.
—Angus Chen, Scientific American, 3 May 2018
The image that is a dehydration and oxidation of the linen fibers goes only two to three fibrils into the cloth.
—Joanne Berger Dumound/special To Cleveland.com., cleveland.com, 19 Feb. 2018
Perhaps the fibrils could help women eliminate bad sperm.
—Giorgia Guglielmi, Science | AAAS, 11 July 2017
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fibril.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
New Latin fibrilla, diminutive of Latin fibra
First Known Use
1664, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near fibril
Cite this Entry
“Fibril.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fibril. Accessed 9 Dec. 2023.
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Medical Definition
: a small filament or fiber: as
a
: one of the fine threads into which a striated muscle fiber can be longitudinally split
b
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