capillary

/ˌkæpəˈlɛri/

/ˈkæpəlɛri/

Other forms: capillaries

You are probably most familiar with the word capillary as a minute vessel that transports blood to larger vessels in the body, but a capillary can actually mean any tiny tubelike device that moves a liquid from point to point.

Capillary comes from the Latin word capillaris, meaning "of or resembling hair." The meaning stems from the tiny, hairlike diameter of a capillary. While capillary is usually used as a noun, the word also is used as an adjective, as in "capillary action," in which a liquid is moved along — even upward, against gravity — as the liquid is attracted to the internal surface of the capillaries.

Definitions of capillary

1. noun

   any of the minute blood vessels connecting arterioles with venules
   synonyms: capillary vessel

   types:

   glomerulus

   a small intertwined group of capillaries in the malpighian body; it filters the blood during urine formation

   tomentum, tomentum cerebri

   a network of tiny blood vessels between the cerebral surface of the pia mater and the cerebral cortex

   type of:

   blood vessel

   a vessel in which blood circulates
2. noun

   a tube of small internal diameter; holds liquid by capillary action
   synonyms: capillary tube, capillary tubing

   type of:

   tube, tubing

   conduit consisting of a long hollow object (usually cylindrical) used to hold and conduct objects or liquids or gases
3. adjective

   long and slender with a very small internal diameter
   “a capillary tube”

   synonyms: hairlike

   thin

   of relatively small extent from one surface to the opposite or in cross section
4. adjective

   of or relating to hair