Vil"lus (?), n.; pl. Villi (#). [L., shaggy hair, a tuft of hair.]
1. Anat.
One of the minute papillary processes on certain vascular membranes; a villosity; as, villi cover the lining of the small intestines of many animals and serve to increase the absorbing surface.
2. pl. Bot.
Fine hairs on plants, resembling the pile of velvet.
© Webster 1913.