byssus

[ bis-uhs ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural bys·sus·es, bys·si [bis, -ahy].

Zoology. a collection of silky filaments by which certain mollusks attach themselves to rocks.
an ancient cloth, thought to be of linen, cotton, or silk.

byssus

/ ˈbɪsəs /

a mass of strong threads secreted by a sea mussel or similar mollusc that attaches the animal to a hard fixed surface

Origin of byssus¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin < Greek býssos a fine cotton or linen < Semitic; compare Hebrew būts

Origin of byssus¹

C17: from Latin, from Greek bussos linen, flax, ultimately of Egyptian origin

The Serica347 also are of a similar kind, and are made of dry byssus, which is obtained from some sort of bark of plants.

The meaning of the word Byssus has been disputed; some authorities asserting that it includes both flax and cotton fabrics.

The foot is usually provided with a byssus by which the animal fixes itself to a little projection on the side of its burrow.

The mantle of the animal is open, and the margins of the lobes fringed; and the small foot spins a powerful byssus.

The mummy lay on a mattress of striped byssus, the head on a byssus pillow.

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