cell
cell
(sĕl) noun
1.
A narrow, confining room, as in a prison or convent.
2.
A small enclosed cavity or space, such as a compartment in a honeycomb or within a plant ovary or an area bordered by veins in an insect's wing.
3.
Biology. The smallest structural unit of an organism that is capable of independent functioning, consisting of one or more nuclei, cytoplasm, and various organelles, all surrounded by a semipermeable cell membrane.
4. The smallest organizational unit of a centralized group or movement, especially of a political party of Leninist structure.
5. Electricity. a. A single unit for electrolysis or conversion of chemical into electric energy, usually consisting of a container with electrodes and an electrolyte. Also called electrochemical cell. b. A single unit that converts radiant energy into electric energy: a solar cell.
6. Computer Science. A basic unit of storage in a computer memory that can hold one unit of information, such as a character or word.
7. A geographic area or zone surrounding a transmitter in a cellular telephone system.
8. A small, humble abode, such as a hermit's cave or hut.
9. A small religious house dependent on a larger one, such as a priory within an abbey.
verb
celled, celling, cells
verb
, transitive
1.
To put or confine in a cell.
2.
To store in a honeycomb.
verb
, intransitive
To live in or share a cell.
[Middle English celle, from Old English cell and from Old French, both from Latin cella, chamber.]