pilus

pilus

[′pī·ləs]

(anatomy)

A hair.

(biology)

A fine, slender, hairlike body.

(microbiology)

Any filamentous appendage other than flagella on certain gram-negative bacteria. Also known as fimbria.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.