capillary
5
6.8
- adjective
- /ˈkæpɪˌlɛri/
- Specialized
:
capilar
- Blood is then collected in a capillary tube, ensuring that there are no air bubbles present.
- capillary tube
- capillary blood
- capillary flow
Examples
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The working fluid is then transported back to the evaporator through capillary forces in a wick.
Academic text (1997) -
In biology class, we learned about how capillary action allows water to move through tiny tubes.
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Identify if there is a service performing capillary blood gas assessments in your area.
Academic text (2011) -
Healthcare professionals performing capillary blood gas analysis should be assessed for competency in accordance with local protocol.
Academic text (2011) -
Exercising increases capillary surface area and capillary pressure, leading to increased transcapillary filtration without increased reabsorption.
Academic text (2004) -
The doctor examined the capillary tube to ensure it could collect the small blood sample needed.
-
A capillary pipeline transports water from the main line to the plants in the garden.
Synonyms
Having the shape of a very small tube in cells
Very thin and like a strand of hair
Compounds
- Specialized
1
5.8
Movement of liquid up thin tubes or spaces, like water rising in a plant stem
- Specialized
A very small blood vessel that carries blood from capillaries into larger vessels
- Specialized
A very small blood vessel that lets oxygen and nutrients pass to body cells
- Specialized
A very small thin blood vessel that carries blood into tiny vessels in the tissues
- Specialized
A network of tiny blood vessels in tissue where blood gives oxygen and nutrients to cells and removes waste
- Specialized
How far a liquid moves up a thin tube because of surface tension
How Narrow
Surface Forms
Morphology
capillary = capill + ary
The element 'capill-' (meaning 'hair') is a Latin combining form that is not a standalone English word, so learners cannot reliably infer 'long, very thin' from familiar English morphemes.
Etymology
Capillary comes from the Latin root capill- meaning 'hair', so it helps to think of something 'hair-thin'. That's why we call a long, thin tube or small space 'capillary'—because it is very narrow like a hair.