pilose

9.9

A surface with fine, soft hairs like a furry leaf

adjective
/ˈpɪloʊs/

Specialized

: piloso

The leaves of the plant are pilose, giving them a soft, velvety texture to the touch.

Examples

Some caterpillars are recognized by their pilose bodies, which are covered with fine hairs.
Under the microscope, the pilose surface of the stem was clearly visible.
The pilose leaves felt soft.
Look at that pilose flower!
The leaves of the plant are pilose, giving them a soft, velvety texture to the touch.
Some caterpillars are recognized by their pilose bodies, which are covered with fine hairs.
Under the microscope, the pilose surface of the stem was clearly visible.

Synonyms

fuzzy

vspilose

44 1.1

Covered with soft light hairs like kitten fur

focuses on natural hairs rather than fibers

pilous

vspilose

Specialized

9.9

Having fine soft hairs on a surface

is the same meaning but is an alternative form

pilary

vspilose

9.9

A surface covered in many short soft hairs

is the same meaning but is an alternative form

puberulent

vspilose

Specialized

9.9

A plant surface that has fine, short, soft hairs

refers more generally to fine soft hairs without shortness

floccose

vspilose

Specialized

9.9

Covered with small soft hairs like wool

describes even fine hair covering, not tufted clumps

How Hairy

shaggy

22 3.2

hairy

134 1.0

pilose

Specialized

9.9

downy

4 4.2

Surface Forms

pilose positive

Morphology

pilose = pilo + ose

The element 'pilo-' is a Latin combining form meaning 'hair' and is not a standalone English word, so the adjective is a technical/Latin-derived term not transparently analyzable by average learners.

Etymology

Pilose comes from the Latin word pilus, which means 'hair'. Think of it like the soft pile on a carpet or the tiny hairs on a leaf, so pilose simply means 'covered with fine, soft hairs'.