Definition of globule

The word "globule" originated from the Latin word "globulus," which means small round ball or globular shape. The word "globulus" itself can be traced back to the verb "gignere," meaning to beget, give birth, or become. In medieval Latin, "globulus" was used to describe an object with a spherical shape, such as a small globe or sphere. In the early 1600s, the word "globule" emerged in English with a similar meaning. It originally referred to small balls or spheres used in decorative arts or as lapidary tools. By the 1800s, the meaning of "globule" had expanded to include small round objects found in natural sciences, such as drops of liquid or masses of viscous substance, like a globule of molten lava or a globule of blood. In biology, "globule" is used to describe a small spherical object, especially a protein molecule that has folded into a compact, round shape. Globules can carry out important biological functions, such as catalyzing chemical reactions or binding to specific molecules in the body. In summary, the word "globule" derives from the Latin word "globulus," which means small round ball or globular shape. Its origin can be traced back to the Latin verb "gignere," meaning to beget, give birth, or become.