spiracle
spiracle
Definition
spi·ra·cle (spir′ə kəl, spī′rə-)
noun
- a small opening allowing the outer air to come through into a confined space; air hole
- Geol. a small vent formed on the surface of a thick lava flow
- Zool. an aperture for breathing, as
- any of the small external openings of the tracheal respiratory system in most terrestrial arthropods, ordinarily along the sides of certain thoracic and abdominal segments; stigma
- any of various similar openings for the passage of air or respiratory water, as in tadpoles
- blowhole (sense )
Etymology: ME < L spiraculum < spirare, to breathe: see spirit
spi·rac′u·lar (spī rak′yo̵o lər, spi-) adjective
Browse dictionary entries near spiracle
- spir-
- spiny-rayed
- spiny lobster
- spiny-headed worm
- spiny-finned
- spiny dogfish
- spiny anteater
- spiny
- spinule
- spinto
- spiraea
- spiral
- spiral galaxy
- spirant
- spire
- spirea
- spireme
- spiriferous
- spirillum
- spirit
