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Filamentary: meaning, definitions and examples

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filamentary

 

[ ˌfɪləˈmɛntəri ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

scientific usage

Filamentary describes something that is composed of or resembles filaments, which are thin, thread-like structures. This term is often used in various scientific contexts, such as biology, physics, and materials science, to refer to the fine, hair-like components of a material or organism.

Synonyms

fibrous, stringy, threadlike.

Examples of usage

  • The filamentary structure of the spider's web contributes to its strength.
  • The researchers studied the filamentary networks in the cell's cytoskeleton.
  • Filamentary clouds are often observed in astrophysical phenomena.

Etymology

The word 'filamentary' originates from the root 'filament,' which is derived from the Latin word 'filamentum,' meaning 'a thread or a fiber.' The Latin term itself is based on 'filare,' which means 'to spin' or 'to twist.' This connection highlights the relationship between the shape of a filament and the process of spinning or continuity of physical threads. The suffix '-ary' is used in English to denote 'pertaining to' or 'relating to,' giving us the meaning of something that is characterized by or associated with filaments. The term has been adopted in various scientific fields, such as biology, where it may describe the filamentous nature of certain bacteria or fungi, and in materials science, where it pertains to the structures found in composite materials.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #33,437 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.