cell in English
- cell⇄adj. cell-like.
- cell⇄cell, noun, verb.
- cell⇄expr. cells, the brain or cells of the brain.
Ex. It [the sound] opens all the cells Where Mem'ry slept (William Cowper). - cell⇄noun 1a. a small room in a prison, convent, or monastery.
Ex. The prisoners lived in their cells but ate in a huge dining hall.
b. a small monastery or convent, dependent on a larger religious house.
2. any small, hollow place. - cell⇄polar body orcell
(Biology.) one of the tiny cells that arise by a very unequal meiotic division of the ovum at or near the time of fertilization. - cell⇄v.i. to live in a cell, especially a prison cell.
Ex. A dictionary buff, a devotee of obscure words, he had been intent on improving his companion's grammar ... ever since they had celled together at Kansas State Penitentiary (Truman Capote).
cell in Sindhi سنڌي
cell Deals on Amazon
Cell
Part of Speech
Noun
Pronunciation
/sɛl/
Definitions
- A small room or compartment, especially one used for imprisonment or confinement.
- The basic structural and functional unit of living organisms, consisting of cytoplasm, a nucleus, and other organelles enclosed by a cell membrane.
- A unit of an organization or system, especially a secret or covert group.
- An electrical component that stores and provides electrical energy, such as a battery cell.
Usage Examples
- She was placed in a small cell for questioning.
- The cell of the plant contained all the necessary components for growth.
- The revolutionary group formed cells to operate more discreetly.
- The battery contains multiple cells to power the device.
Etymology
From the Latin word "cellula," meaning "small room" or "compartment," derived from "cella," meaning "small room" or "storeroom." The term was first used in the 14th century to refer to small rooms, and later extended to the biological context in the 17th century.
Synonyms
- Compartment
- Chamber
- Room
- Unit
- Vessel
Antonyms
- Open space
- Expanse
- Area
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Arabic | خلية | Khalīyah |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 细胞 | Xìbāo |
| French | Cellule | Seh-lool |
| German | Zelle | Tseh-leh |
| Hindi | कोशिका | Koshika |
| Spanish | Célula | Seh-loo-lah |
| Italian | Cellula | Che-loo-lah |
| Japanese | 細胞 | Saibō |
| Korean | 세포 | Sepo |
| Portuguese | Célula | Seh-loo-lah |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
The pronunciation of "cell" may vary based on regional accents, particularly in the use of the vowel sound in different dialects. For example, in some regions, the "e" sound in "cell" may be pronounced as a long "e" (as in "seal").
Historical Usage
The term "cell" has been used since the 14th century to refer to a small room, and later became associated with biological entities, first being applied in the 17th century when scientists discovered that living organisms are made up of small, compartmentalized units. The biological term "cell" was popularized by Robert Hooke after his observation of cork cells under a microscope in 1665.
Cultural Nuances
In some cultures, the term "cell" is often associated with isolation, as in the case of prison cells or monastic cells. In other contexts, the term may evoke ideas of basic building blocks, such as in biology, where cells are the fundamental units of life. The idea of "cell" has also evolved in political discourse, referring to clandestine groups or cells within resistance movements or secret organizations.
More Information
The term "cell" has a wide range of meanings across different fields. In biology, a cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms, from single-celled organisms like bacteria to multicellular organisms such as plants and animals. In prison settings, a "cell" refers to a small room where prisoners are confined. In electronics, a "cell" is an individual electrochemical unit within a battery. The concept of "cell" has also been extended metaphorically to refer to a basic unit of an organization or system, particularly in the context of secret societies or political resistance movements.