vesicle meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

vesicle

noun

/ˈvɛsɪkəl/ · /ˈviːsɪkəl/

Etymology From Middle French vesicule, from Latin vēsīcula. By surface analysis, vesic- + -le. Doublet of vesicule.

Biology, Cytology, Medicine, Natural sciences, Sciences A membrane-bound compartment found in a cell.

› A small bladder-like cell or cavity, as:

Biology, Botany, Natural sciences A small sac filled with juice, one of many constituting the pulp of a fruit such as an orange, lemon, or grapefruit.

Biology, Medicine, Natural sciences, Sciences A small sac or cyst or vacuole, especially one containing fluid. A blister formed in or beneath the skin, containing serum. A bleb.

› A small bladder-like cell or cavity, as: › A small sac or cyst or vacuole, especially…

Biology, Medicine, Natural sciences, Sciences (usually and especially) Such a blister that is less than 5 mm in diameter.

Anatomy, Medicine, Sciences A pocket of embryonic tissue that is the beginning of an organ.

Geography, Geology, Natural sciences A small cavity formed in volcanic rock by entrapment of a gas bubble during solidification.

It frequently contains holes, or vesicles, especially nearer the surface of a flow where gas has escaped.2004, Richard Fortey, The Earth, Folio Society, published 2011, page 51:

Derived terms: macrovesicle, microvesicle, minivesicle, nanovesicle, neurovesicle, seminal vesicle, transport vesicle, tubulovesicle, vesicular
Related terms: vesica, vesication, vesicula, vesicular, vesiculation