follicular, a.
(fɒˈlɪkjʊlə(r))
[ad. L. folliculār-is, f. folliculus: see follicle and -ar1.]
1. Of the nature of, or resembling, a follicle; composed or consisting of follicles; also, provided with follicles.
| 1677 Plot Oxfordsh. 305 Many other strong scented Animals..have follicular Repositories or Bags. 1750 Phil. Trans. XLVII. 99 Vascular and follicular minute membranes. 1830 Lindley Nat. Syst. Bot. 6 Fruit..follicular with one or two valves. 1835–6 Todd Cycl. Anat. I. 23 The follicular structure of the glands. 1870 Hooker Stud. Flora p. xiii, Crassulaceæ..Fruit follicular. |
2. a. Of or pertaining to a follicle or follicles.
| 1877 Coues Fur Anim. i. 14 An enormous reservoir..containing a considerable quantity of the follicular product. |
b. Path. Of a disease: Affecting the follicles of a particular organ.
| 1859 J. Tomes Dental Surg. 508 Follicular stomatitis. 1877 Roberts Handbk. Med. (ed. 3) I. 209 Follicular pharyngitis is often associated with stomach-disorders. |
c. follicular hormone, a natural œstrogenic hormone, now usually called œstrone.
| 1923 Jrnl. Amer. Med. Assoc. LXXXI. 821/1 The conclusion seems justified that this follicular hormone is the cause of estrual or mating instincts. 1947 A. T. Cameron Recent Adv. Endocrinol. vi. 181 Oestrone (follicular hormone)..has marked oestrogenic properties. |
3. In etymol. sense: Of or pertaining to bellows; performed by means of bellows. nonce-use.
| 1676 Shadwell Virtuoso ii. Wks. 1720 I. 343 An animal may be preserved without respiration..by follicular impulsion of air. |