sensillum

noun

sen·​sil·​lum sen-ˈsi-ləm 

variants or less commonly sensilla

sen-ˈsi-lə 

plural sensilla sen-ˈsi-lə  also sensillae sen-ˈsi-(ˌ)lē 

: a simple epithelial sense organ of an invertebrate (such as an insect) usually in the form of a spine, plate, rod, cone, or peg that is composed of one or a few cells with a nerve connection

Word History

Etymology

New Latin sensillum, diminutive of Medieval Latin sensus sense organ, from Latin, sense

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined above