VILLUS
villus
(noun) a minute hairlike projection on mucous membrane
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
villus (plural villi)
(biology) A small projection from a membrane, particularly those found in the mucous membranes of the intestines.
(botany) One of the fine soft hairs on fruits, flowers, and other parts of plants.
Source: Wiktionary
Vil"lus, n.; pl. Villi. Etym: [L., shaggy hair, a tuft of hair.]
1. (Anat.)
Definition: One of the minute papillary processes on certain vascular
membranes; a villosity; as, villi cover the lining of the small
intestines of many animals and serve to increase the absorbing
surface.
2. pl. (Bot.)
Definition: Fine hairs on plants, resembling the pile of velvet.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition