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byssal

 - 2 dictionary results

bys⋅sus

  [bis-uhs]
Use byssal in a Sentence
–noun, plural bys⋅sus⋅es, bys⋅si  [bis-ahy] .
1. Zoology. a collection of silky filaments by which certain mollusks attach themselves to rocks.
2. an ancient cloth, thought to be of linen, cotton, or silk.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME < L < Gk býssos a fine cotton or linen < Sem; cf. Heb būts

Related forms:
bys⋅sa⋅ceous  [bi-sey-shuhs] , byssoid, adjective
byssal, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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bys·sus   (bĭs'əs)   
n.   pl. bys·sus·es or bys·si (bĭs'ī')

  1. Zoology A mass of strong, silky filaments by which certain bivalve mollusks, such as mussels, attach themselves to rocks and other fixed surfaces.

  2. A fine-textured linen of ancient times, used by the Egyptians for wrapping mummies.


[Middle English bissus, linen cloth, from Latin, from Greek bussos, linen; akin to Sanskrit picuḥ, cotton (of Dravidian origin), or ultimately from Egyptian w'ḏ, linen.]
bys'sal (bĭs'əl) adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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