noun
capillary
kuh-PIL-uh-ree
Capillary (noun) means one of the tiny blood vessels that connect the arteries to the veins. Example: “Oxygen passes from the blood through the walls of the capillaries.”
noun
1
technical One of the tiny blood vessels that connect the arteries to the veins.
"Oxygen passes from the blood through the walls of the capillaries."
"A burst capillary can cause a small red mark on the skin."
"Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels in the body."
2
technical A tube with a very narrow bore, through which liquid can rise or be drawn.
"The liquid rose up the glass capillary."
"She used a fine capillary to draw up a small sample."
"Water climbs a narrow capillary against gravity."
adjective
1
technical Relating to capillaries or to the way liquid moves through very narrow tubes.
"Capillary action helps water move up through soil."
"The nurse took a capillary blood sample from his fingertip."
"Paper towels soak up spills through capillary attraction."
How to use capillary
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA very thin tube, especially a tiny blood vessel.
When to use it
It is mostly a scientific and medical word.
Memory tip
It is stressed on the second syllable in British English: kuh-PIL-uh-ree.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
capillary action
capillary blood
capillary wall
capillary tube
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A burst _____ can cause a small red mark on the skin.
Etymology
Capillary comes from Latin capillāris, meaning 'pertaining to the hair'. That in turn comes from capillus, 'the hair', which derives from caput, 'head'.
Rhymes for capillary
See all rhymes for capillary →Frequently asked questions
What is a capillary?
In the body, a capillary is a tiny blood vessel that connects an artery to a vein. In physics and chemistry, it is a very narrow tube that liquid can rise through.
What is capillary action?
It is the movement of liquid through a very narrow tube or channel, as when liquid is drawn up by surface tension.
Why is it called a capillary?
The word comes from Latin capillāris, meaning relating to hair. It refers to how fine and slender these vessels and tubes are.
What is the meaning of capillary?
"capillary" (noun) means one of the tiny blood vessels that connect the arteries to the veins.
