peristome

[ per-uh-stohm ]

noun
  1. Botany. the one or two circles of small, pointed, toothlike appendages around the orifice of a capsule or urn of mosses, appearing when the lid is removed.

  2. Zoology. any of various structures or sets of parts that surround or form the walls of a mouth or mouthlike opening.

Origin of peristome

1
From the New Latin word peristoma, dating back to 1790–1800. See peri-, -stome

Other words from peristome

  • per·i·sto·mal, per·i·sto·mat·ic [per-uh-stuh-mat-ik], /ˌpɛr ə stəˈmæt ɪk/, per·i·sto·mi·al, adjective

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How to use peristome in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for peristome

peristome

/ (ˈpɛrɪˌstəʊm) /


noun
  1. a fringe of pointed teeth surrounding the opening of a moss capsule

  2. any of various parts surrounding the mouth of invertebrates, such as echinoderms and earthworms, and of protozoans

Origin of peristome

1
C18: from New Latin peristoma, from peri- + Greek stoma mouth

Derived forms of peristome

  • peristomal or peristomial, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for peristome

peristome

[ pĕrĭ-stōm′ ]


  1. A fringe of toothlike appendages surrounding the mouth of the spore capsule of some mosses. The teeth unfold under damp conditions and curl up under dry conditions to disperse spores gradually.

  2. The area or parts around the mouth in certain invertebrates, such as the echinoderms.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.