capillary meaning: definition, etymology

capillary

adj

AU, UK /kəˈpɪl.ə.ɹi/ · US /ˈkæpəˌlɛri/

Etymology From Latin capillāris (“pertaining to the hair”), from capillus (“the hair, properly of the head”), from caput (“head”).

Resembling or pertaining to hair, especially in slenderness or fineness.

Of or pertaining to a narrow tube.

Of, relating to, or caused by surface tension.

Of or relating to capillaries in the body or to capillary action.

capillary

noun

Etymology From Latin capillāris (“pertaining to the hair”), from capillus (“the hair, properly of the head”), from caput (“head”).

Anatomy, Medicine, Sciences Any of the small blood vessels (from 5 to 10 micrometres/micrometers (μm) in diameter) that connect arteries to veins (They are the smallest blood vessels in the body: they convey blood between the arterioles and venules).

Chemistry, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Physics A tube or channel having a very small internal diameter, through which liquid can rise or be drawn by capillary action.

Derived terms: capillarity, capillary action, capillary wave, peritubular capillary
Related terms: artery, circulatory system, vein