pəˈpilə noun
( plural papil·lae -iˌlē, -ˌlī)
Etymology: Latin
1. obsolete : the nipple of the breast
2.
[New Latin, from Latin, nipple]
: a small projecting body part similar to a nipple in form:
a. : a vascular process of connective tissue extending into and nourishing the root of a hair, feather, or developing tooth
b. : one of the vascular protuberances of the dermal layer of the skin extending into the epidermal layer and often containing tactile corpuscles
c. : the apex of a Malpighian pyramid of the kidney
d. : one of the small protuberances on the upper surface of the tongue — see circumvallate papilla , filiform papilla , fungiform papilla