vesicle

English
A single juice vesicle from a grapefruit; many such vesciels make up the fruit's pulp.

Etymology

From Middle French vesicule, from Latin vēsīcula.

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈvɛsɪkəl/, /ˈviːsɪkəl/
  • Hyphenation: ves‧i‧cle
  • Homophone: vesical (for some pronunciations)

Noun

vesicle (plural vesicles)

  1. (cytology) A membrane-bound compartment found in a cell.
  2. A small bladder-like cell or cavity; a vesicula.
  3. (anatomy) A small sac or cyst or vacuole, especially one containing fluid. A blister formed in or beneath the skin, containing serum. A bleb.
  4. (anatomy) A pocket of embryonic tissue that is the beginning of an organ.
  5. (geology) A small cavity formed in volcanic rock by entrapment of a gas bubble during solidification.
    • 2004, Richard Fortey, The Earth, Folio Society 2011, p. 51:
      It frequently contains holes, or vesicles, especially nearer the surface of a flow where gas has escaped.

Derived terms

Translations
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