follicle
noun
fol·li·cle ˈfä-li-kəl 
1
a
: a small anatomical cavity or deep narrow-mouthed depression
b
: a small lymph node
c
: a vesicle in the mammalian ovary that contains a developing egg surrounded by a covering of cells
especially : graafian follicle
2
: a dry dehiscent one-celled many-seeded fruit (as of the milkweed) that has a single carpel and opens along one suture
follicular
fə-ˈli-kyə-lər
adjective fä-
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The featherlight formulas add lasting body and are infused with follicle-stimulating caffeine, which makes strands appear temporarily thicker. 
Allure Editors, Allure, 13 Sep. 2022 This antioxidant-rich option is formulated with coffee, caffeine, castor seed, and argan oil to stimulate hair growth at the follicle. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 19 July 2022 Though the Brooklyn video editor, now 36, had flirted with the idea of getting a hair transplant, his follicle fallout never seemed bad enough to warrant such measures. Horacio Silva, WSJ, 5 Aug. 2022 But for various reasons, follicles can start to miniaturize, which leads to thinner individual hairs, and eventually none at all being pushed out of the follicle. Stephanie Dolgoff, Good Housekeeping, 2 Aug. 2022 Saw palmetto encourages hair growth at each follicle. Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 2 June 2022 Adam Richman recalled being hospitalized after contracting an infection in a mustache follicle. Stephanie Wenger, Peoplemag, 8 Aug. 2022 This positively luxurious shampoo uses camellia oil to cleanse and balance the scalp while stimulating better growth from the follicle. Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 26 June 2022 The warmth from the wax also acts as a pore softener which allows the hair to be removed directly from the follicle without breakage, adds Evans. Fiona Embleton, Allure, 14 June 2022 See More
Allure Editors, Allure, 13 Sep. 2022 This antioxidant-rich option is formulated with coffee, caffeine, castor seed, and argan oil to stimulate hair growth at the follicle. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 19 July 2022 Though the Brooklyn video editor, now 36, had flirted with the idea of getting a hair transplant, his follicle fallout never seemed bad enough to warrant such measures. Horacio Silva, WSJ, 5 Aug. 2022 But for various reasons, follicles can start to miniaturize, which leads to thinner individual hairs, and eventually none at all being pushed out of the follicle. Stephanie Dolgoff, Good Housekeeping, 2 Aug. 2022 Saw palmetto encourages hair growth at each follicle. Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 2 June 2022 Adam Richman recalled being hospitalized after contracting an infection in a mustache follicle. Stephanie Wenger, Peoplemag, 8 Aug. 2022 This positively luxurious shampoo uses camellia oil to cleanse and balance the scalp while stimulating better growth from the follicle. Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 26 June 2022 The warmth from the wax also acts as a pore softener which allows the hair to be removed directly from the follicle without breakage, adds Evans. Fiona Embleton, Allure, 14 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
New Latin folliculus, from Latin, diminutive of follis bag — more at fool
First Known Use
1715, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing follicle
Medical Definition
follicle
noun
fol·li·cle ˈfäl-i-kəl
1
: a small anatomical cavity or deep narrow-mouthed depression
especially : a small simple or slightly branched gland : crypt
2
: a small lymph node
3
: a vesicle in the mammalian ovary that contains a developing egg surrounded by a covering of cells : ovarian follicle
especially : graafian follicle