Etymologically
Log in

cellularis

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 24 October 2026 at 05:01. This address is a permanent link to this version.
Changes in this edit History

Pronunciation

  • Classical: [kɛl.lʊˈɫaː.rɪs][1]
  • Ecclesiastical: [t͡ʃel.luˈlaː.ris][1]

Forms

cellulāris (neuter cellulāre); third-declension two-termination adjective[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin cellula (“little cell”) + -āris, a New Latin adjective;[1][2][3] the noun is a diminutive of cella (“small room”).[2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Wiktionary, Etymonline and Barnhart give it as New Latin, with the meaning “of little cells”.[1][2][3]

Semantic evolution

In New Latin it became a term of cytology, “relating to cells”.[1] Barnhart takes it as probably the source of English cellular, recorded in 1753, perhaps with the influence of French cellulaire, recorded in 1740;[3][2] English cellular membrane, from 1773, was later replaced by cell membrane.[3]

Timeline

  • 1740 – French cellulaire is recorded.[3]
  • 1753 – English cellular is recorded, probably from it.[3][2]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. (New Latin) Of little cells, consisting of cells.[2][3]
  2. (New Latin, cytology) Cellular, relating to cells.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology