tracheae

Variant of trachea

noun pl. tracheae or tracheas

  1. in the respiratory tract of most land vertebrates, the tube extending from the larynx to the two bronchi; windpipe
  2. in the respiratory system of insects and certain other invertebrates, any of the tubules branching throughout the body and conducting air from the exterior
  3. Bot. vessel (sense )

Origin: ME trache < ML trachea < LL trachia, windpipe < Gr tracheia (arteria), rough (windpipe) < trachys, rough, akin to thrassein, to confuse < IE base *dher-, dark residue, dirt > dregs

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