I. ˈka-pə-ˌler-ē, -ˌle-rē, Brit usu kə-ˈpi-lə-rē adjective
Etymology: French or Latin; French capillaire, from Latin capillaris, from capillus hair
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : resembling a hair especially in slender elongated form
capillary leaves
b. : having a very small bore
a capillary tube
2. : involving, held by, or resulting from surface tension
capillary water in the soil
3. : of or relating to capillaries or capillarity
II. noun
( plural -lar·ies )
Date: 1667
: a capillary tube ; especially : any of the smallest blood vessels connecting arterioles with venules and forming networks throughout the body