cellular English · revision 15226

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1716|origins=la cella}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈsɛl.ju.lə/, /ˈsɛl.jə.lə/ ''(UK)''; /ˈsɛl.ju.lɚ/, /ˈsɛl.jə.lɚ/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fr|cellulaire]] and [[la-new|cellulāris|t=of little cells]],^(Hoad 1986)^(NODE 1998)^(Etymonline) from [[m|la|cellula|t=little cell, little chamber]], a diminutive of [[m|la|cella|t=small room, storeroom]] (see [[cell]]).^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Consisting of or resembling cells, of tissue: 1753 in the OED and Etymonline;^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) Merriam-Webster dates a sense to 1716.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Containing small compartments or cavities, porous, is from 1816,^(OED 1989) and relating to cells or small rooms for single prisoners from 1823.^(OED 1989) Open-textured fabric, as cellular linen, is from 1888.^(OED 1989) A mobile telephone system in which the area served is divided into cells, each with its own transmitter, is from 1977.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The AHD also notes the cells of an organization or movement.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1716 – cellular (Merriam-Webster).^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1753 – of cells (tissue).^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1823 – of prison cells.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1888 – cellular fabric.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1977 – cellular telephone.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Relating to, resembling or made up of [[cell|alt=cells]], especially those of living [[tissue]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Having small cavities; [[porous]].^(Collins 2023)

+ # Woven with an open texture: ''a cellular blanket''.^(Collins 2023)

+ # Relating to a mobile telephone network divided into small areas, each with its own transmitter.^(OED 1989)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[cellularity]]

+ * [[cellularly]]

+ * [[acellular]]

+ * [[bicellular]]

+ * [[extracellular]]

+ * [[hepatocellular]]

+ * [[intercellular]]

+ * [[intracellular]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[cell]]

+ * [[cellule]]

+ * [[cellulose]]

+ * [[cellar]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}