rostella

Variant of rostellum

noun pl. rostella

  1. Bot. a sterile, flaplike modified stigma that separates the anthers from the stigmas in some orchids
  2. Zool.
    1. a small, rounded projection bearing hooks on the head of certain tapeworms
    2. a beak-shaped, sucking mouthpart in certain insects

Origin: Modl < L, dim. of rostrum: see rostrum

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2010 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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