follicle Definition

follicle
noun

1. anatomy.
A small cavity or sac within a tissue or organ, eg the pit surrounding the root of a hair.
Example: hair follicle
Example: Graafian follicle
2. bot.
A fruit formed from a single carpel, containing several seeds, which splits along one side when mature, eg columbine fruit.

Derivative: follicular
adj

Etymology: 17c: from Latin folliculus a small bag or sack, diminutive of follis bellows.