tən noun, plural pec·tens, pec·ti·nes 
[-tuh-neez] .
[-tuh-neez] . 1.
Zoology, Anatomy.
a.
a comblike part or process.
b.
a pigmented vascular membrane with parallel folds suggesting the teeth of a comb, projecting into the vitreous humor of the eye in birds and reptiles.
2.
any bivalve mollusk of the genus Pecten; scallop.
Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English < Latin pecten comb, rake, scallop, pubes, akin to pectere, Greek pékein to comb, card
1350–1400; Middle English < Latin pecten comb, rake, scallop, pubes, akin to pectere, Greek pékein to comb, card
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To Pecten
Collins
World English Dictionary
pecten (ˈpɛktɪn) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n , pl -tens, -tines | |
| 1. | a comblike structure in the eye of birds and reptiles, consisting of a network of blood vessels projecting inwards from the retina, which it is thought to supply with oxygen |
| 2. | any other comblike part or organ |
| 3. | any scallop of the genus Pecten, which swim by expelling water from their shell valves in a series of snapping motions |
| [C18: from Latin: a comb, from pectere, related to Greek pekein to comb] | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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00:10
Pecten
is always a great word to know.
So is callithumpian. Does it mean:
| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
| a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc. |
American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
pecten pec·ten (pěk'tən)
n. pl. pec·tens or pec·ti·nes (-tə-nēz')
A body structure or an organ resembling a comb.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
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