WordWeb Online

1. (botany) a tiny outgrowth on the surface of a petal or leaf
    
2. A small nipple-shaped protuberance concerned with taste, touch, or smell
   "the papillae of the tongue"
    
3. A small projection of tissue at the base of a hair or tooth or feather

Derived forms: papillae

See also: papillary, papillate, papilliform

Type of: appendage, outgrowth, process

Part of: receptor, sense organ, sensory receptor

Encyclopedia: Papilla