CELL, CELLA, in ancient writers, denotes a place or apartment usually under ground, and vaulted, in which were stored up some sort of necessaries, as wine, honey, and the like; and according to which it was called Cella Vinaria, Olearia, Mellaria, &c. The word is formed from the Latin celare, to conceal.
CELLA was also used for the lodge or habitation of a common prostitute, as being anciently under ground, hence also denominated foenix.
CELLA likewise signified the adyta, or inmost and most retired parts of temples, wherein the images of the gods to whom the edifices were consecrated were preferred. In this sense we meet with cella Jovis, cella Concordiae, &c.
CELL is also used for a lesser or subordinate sort of ministry dependent on a great one, by which it was erected, and continues still to be governed. The great abbeys in England had most of them cells in places distant from the mother abbey, to which they were accountable, and from which they received their superiors. The alien priories in England were cells to abbeys in Normandy, France, Italy &c. The name cell was also given to rich and considerable monasteries not dependent on any other.
CELL signifies also a little apartment or chamber, such as those wherein the ancient monks, solitaires, and hermits, lived in retirement.
CELLS are also the little divisions in honey-combs, which are always regular hexagons*.