1. plural of fimbria; small hair-like or finger-like projections found on the surface of cells or organisms, especially bacteria
Usage: technical/scientific; plural form; singular is fimbria
2. in anatomy, fringe-like structures or borders, particularly the finger-like projections at the end of the fallopian tubes
Usage: anatomical; plural form

Examples

• Bacterial fimbriae help the cells adhere to surfaces and host tissues.
• The fimbriae of the fallopian tube help guide the egg toward the uterus.
• Under the electron microscope, the fimbriae appeared as tiny hair-like structures.
• Fimbriae are shorter and more numerous than flagella on bacterial cells.
• The fimbriae play an important role in bacterial attachment and infection.