n.
Pronunciation: ' tän(t)-s ə l
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin tonsillae, plural, tonsils
Date: 1601
1 : either of a pair of prominent masses of lymphoid tissue that lie one on each side of the throat between two folds of soft tissue that bound the fauces
2 : any of various masses of lymphoid tissue (as the adenoids) that are similar to tonsils
– ton · sil · lar \ ' tän(t)-s( ə -)l ə r \ adjective