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pulvillus

 - 2 dictionary results

pul⋅vil⋅lus

  [puhl-vil-uhs]
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–noun, plural -vil⋅li  [-vil-ahy] . Entomology.
a soft, padlike structure located at the base of each claw on the feet of certain insects.
Origin:
1685–95; < L, dim. of pulvīnus cushion
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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pul·vil·lus   (pŭl-vĭl'əs)   
n.   pl. pul·vil·li (-vĭl'ī')
A soft, cushionlike pad on the foot of an insect, such as the housefly, by which it clings to a surface.

[Latin, short for pulvīnulus, diminutive of pulvīnus, cushion.]
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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