Capsulaire

Capsulaire is a French adjective meaning related to a capsule or enclosed within a capsule. The term derives from the Latin capsula, a diminutive form related to capsa, meaning a small box or case, with the French suffix -aire forming an adjective meaning pertaining to. In scientific usage, capsulaire typically describes something that is bounded by or contained in a capsule, or resembles a capsule in form.

In biology and medicine, capsulaire is commonly used to describe organisms or components that possess a capsule. For example, bacteria with a capsule are often described as capsulaires, highlighting the capsule as a key structural feature that can influence virulence and immune visibility. In anatomy and related medical fields, the term can describe structures enveloped by a fibrous capsule, such as a joint capsule or the lens capsule of the eye, emphasizing the enclosing membrane’s presence and characteristics. In botany and zoology, capsulaire may be used in a broader sense to refer to capsule-like structures or fruits that resemble a capsule in form or function, though the more common English terms are capsule or capsular.

See also: capsule (biology), capsule (anatomy).