peristome Hear it!

peristome definition

peri·stome (per′ə stōm′)

noun

  1. Bot. the fringe of teeth around the opening of the spore case in mosses
  2. Zool. the area or parts surrounding the mouth or a mouthlike part of various invertebrates

Etymology: ModL peristoma: see peri- & stoma

Related Forms:

  • peristomial per′i·sto′·mial (-stō′mē əl) adjective

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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