vesicle

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

Etymology

From Middle French vesicule, from Latin vēsīcula.

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈvɛsɪkəl/, /ˈviːsɪkəl/
  • Audio (US)(file)
  • 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, as:
    1. (botany) A small sac filled with juice, one of many constituting the pulp of a fruit such as an orange, lemon, or grapefruit.
      Coordinate term: acinus
    2. (biology, medicine) A small sac or cyst or vacuole, especially one containing fluid. A blister formed in or beneath the skin, containing serum. A bleb.
      1. (biology, medicine) (usually and especially) Such a blister that is less than 5 mm in diameter.
        Synonym: vesicula
        Coordinate term: bulla
  3. (anatomy) A pocket of embryonic tissue that is the beginning of an organ.
    Coordinate term: germ
  4. (geology) A small cavity formed in volcanic rock by entrapment of a gas bubble during solidification.
    • 2004, Richard Fortey, The Earth, Folio Society, published 2011, page 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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