byssus

noun

bys·​sus ˈbi-səs 

plural byssuses or byssi ˈbi-ˌsī 

-(ˌ)sē

1

: a fine probably linen cloth of ancient times

2

[New Latin, from Latin] : a tuft of long tough filaments by which some bivalve mollusks (such as mussels) adhere to a surface

Examples of byssus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Eliminate the incrustations and the byssus, if present, wash them very well under running water. —Morgan Hines, USA TODAY, 23 Dec. 2022

The granules consist of iron and a protein called mfp-1, heavily linked to one other - this makes the byssus hard. —Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 5 Mar. 2010

Then comes the slightly tedious task, which is pulling off the byssus, or beard, a small length of what looks like black threads twisted together. —Washington Post, 29 Oct. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Middle English bissus, from Latin byssus, from Greek byssos flax, of Semitic origin; akin to Hebrew būṣ linen cloth

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1