byssus

byssus Definition

bys·sus (bis′əs)

noun pl. bys′·suses or bys′si-ī

a fine fabric, esp. a linen cloth, used by the ancients, as in Egypt for mummy wrapping
Zool. a tuft of filaments, chemically similar to silk, secreted by various marine bivalves, esp. the mussels, and used to attach the mollusk to the substratum

Etymology: L < Gr byssos, fine linen or cotton < Sem, as in Heb buts < Sem *b-w-tz, to be white

byssus Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

gland: Byssal threads are tough chitinous threads secreted by the byssus gland in the foot, as is the case with mussels.

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