cribellum

noun

cri·​bel·​lum
krə̇ˈbeləm
plural cribella
-lə
1
: a special spinning organ having numerous fine perforations and situated in front of the ordinary spinning organs that is found only in spiders of certain families
2
: a chitinous plate with perforations which constitute the openings of minute ducts leading from certain glands of insects

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Late Latin, small sieve, diminutive of Latin cribrum sieve; akin to Latin cernere to sift, discern

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Cite this Entry

“Cribellum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cribellum. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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