vibrissa Hear it!

vibrissa Definition

vi·brissa (vī brisə)

noun pl. -·sae

  1. any of the stiff hairs growing in or near the nostrils of certain animals and often serving as organs of touch, as a cat's whiskers
  2. any of the bristlelike feathers growing near the mouth of certain insect-eating birds, as the whippoorwill

Etymology: ModL < L vibrissae, pl., akin to vibrare, to vibrate

vibrissa Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

  • mystacial: Its ears are clearly visible as are the very long mystacial vibrissae on either side of its nose.

Browse dictionary entries near vibrissa

  1. vibrio
  2. vibratory
  3. vibrator
  4. vibrato
  5. vibrative
  6. vibration
  7. vibratile
  8. vibrate
  9. vibraphone
  10. vibrant
  1. viburnum
  2. vic
  3. vicar
  4. vicar apostolic
  5. vicar forane
  6. vicar-general
  7. vicarage
  8. vicarial
  9. vicariate
  10. vicarious