sessile

adjective

ses·​sile ˈse-ˌsī(-ə)l  -səl 

1

: attached directly by the base : not raised upon a stalk or peduncle

a sessile leaf

sessile bubbles

2

: permanently attached or established : not free to move about

sessile sponges and coral polyps

Word History

Etymology

Latin sessilis of or fit for sitting, low, dwarf (of plants), from sessus, past participle of sedēre

First Known Use

circa 1753, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sessile

• cresol
• decile
• nestle
• pestle
• trestle
• vessel
• wessel
• wrestle
• subsessile

Kids Definition

sessile

adjective

ses·​sile ˈses-ˌīl 

-əl

1

: attached directly by the base and not raised upon a stalk

a sessile leaf

2

: permanently attached and not free to move about : sedentary

sessile coral polyps

Medical Definition

sessile

adjective

ses·​sile ˈses-īl  -əl 

1

: attached directly by a broad base : not pedunculated

a sessile tumor

2

: firmly attached (as to a cell) : not free to move about

sessile antibodies