noun pl. papillae -·lae (-ē)

1. 1. any small nipplelike projection or process of connective tissue, as the small elevations at the root of a developing tooth, hair, feather, etc. or the many and variously shaped elevations on the surface of the tongue
   2. Rare the nipple of the breast
2. Bot. a tiny, protruding cell

Etymology: L, dim. of papula, pimple: see papule