1. [n]  the basic structural and functional unit of all organisms; cells may exist as independent units of life (as in monads) or may form colonies or tissues as in higher plants and animals
2. [n]  a device that delivers an electric current as the result of a chemical reaction
3. [n]  a room where a prisoner is kept
4. [n]  small room is which a monk or nun lives
5. [n]  any small compartment; "the cells of a honeycomb"
6. [n]  a small unit serving as the nucleus of a larger political movement

1. \Cell\, n. [OF. celle, fr. L. cella; akin to celare to
   hide, and E. hell, helm, conceal. Cf. {Hall}.]
   1. A very small and close apartment, as in a prison or in a
      monastery or convent; the hut of a hermit.
            The heroic confessor in his cell.     --Macaulay.
   2. A small religious house attached to a monastery or
      convent. ``Cells or dependent priories.'' --Milman.
   3. Any small cavity, or hollow place.
   4. (Arch.)
      (a) The space between the ribs of a vaulted roof.
      (b) Same as {Cella}.
   5. (Elec.) A jar of vessel, or a division of a compound
      vessel, for holding the exciting fluid of a battery.
   6. (Biol.) One of the minute elementary structures, of which
      the greater part of the various tissues and organs of
      animals and plants are composed.
   Note: All cells have their origin in the primary cell from
         which the organism was developed. In the lowest animal
         and vegetable forms, one single cell constitutes the
         complete individual, such being called unicelluter
         orgamisms. A typical cell is composed of a semifluid
         mass of protoplasm, more or less granular, generally
         containing in its center a nucleus which in turn
         frequently contains one or more nucleoli, the whole
         being surrounded by a thin membrane, the cell wall. In
         some cells, as in those of blood, in the am[oe]ba, and
         in embryonic cells (both vegetable and animal), there
         is no restricting cell wall, while in some of the
         unicelluliar organisms the nucleus is wholly wanting.
         See Illust. of {Bipolar}.
   {Air cell}. See {Air cell}.
   {Cell development} (called also {cell genesis}, {cell
      formation}, and {cytogenesis}), the multiplication, of
      cells by a process of reproduction under the following
      common forms; segmentation or fission, gemmation or
      budding, karyokinesis, and endogenous multiplication. See
      {Segmentation}, {Gemmation}, etc.
   {Cell theory}. (Biol.) See {Cellular theory}, under
      {Cellular}.
   

2. \Cell\ (s[e^]l), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Celled} (s[e^]ld).]
   To place or inclose in a cell. ``Celled under ground.'' [R.]
   --Warner.
   

ATM's term for a packet.

1. The basic unit of any living organism that carries on the biochemical processes of life.
2. the smallest unit that is considered to be alive. All living organisms either are one cell or are composed of several cells.