Reading Theme:
Cell: Definition, Usage, and Key Examples (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：biological building block (cell)
cell
/sɛl/
n.
The smallest living part of an animal or plant, like a tiny building block that makes up all living things.
biological building block
➕
/ˌbaɪəˈlɒdʒɪkəl ˈbɪldɪŋ blɒk/
n.
A cell is the basic structural, functional, and biological unit of all living organisms.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'cella', meaning a small room, storeroom, or chapel.
💡 Mnemonic
Think of your 'cell' phone, which contains a battery 'cell' and connects you from your small private space.
📖 Example
Our skin is constantly renewing itself as old cells die and new ones are created.
Our skin is constantly renewing itself as old cells die and new ones are created.
🔗 Collocations
stem cell – An undifferentiated cell capable of giving rise to various cell types.
cell membrane – The outer layer that surrounds a cell, controlling what enters and exits.
cell division – The process by which a parent cell divides into two or more daughter cells.
🔄 Synonyms
unit (n.) – A single, complete entity that is part of a larger system.
🚫 Antonyms
organism (n.) – A complete living entity composed of many cells functioning together.
🌱 Derivatives
📖 Cultural Story
The word originates from Latin 'cella', referring to a small room, such as a storeroom or a monk's chamber. This dual sense of a 'small compartment' naturally expanded in English to describe the basic unit of life in biology and a prisoner's room.
Meaning 2：small room (cell)
cell
/sɛl/
n.
A small, simple room, especially one in a prison where a prisoner is kept, or in a monastery.
small room
➕
/smɔːl ruːm/
n.
A cell is a small, simple room, typically one in a prison, monastery, or convent where a person lives or is confined.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The ancient monastery had a quiet cell for each monk to study and reflect.
The ancient monastery had a quiet cell for each monk to study and reflect.
🔗 Collocations
prison cell – A small room in a prison where an inmate is locked up.
monk's cell – A simple, austere room in a monastery used by a monk for living and prayer.
solitary confinement cell – A prison cell where an inmate is isolated from others as a punishment.
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
cellar (n.) – A room below ground level in a house, often used for storage.
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