cribellum

/ krɪˈbɛləm /

noun

1. a sievelike spinning organ in certain spiders that occurs between the spinnerets

Word History and Origins

Origin of cribellum¹

C19: New Latin, from Late Latin cribellum, diminutive of Latin cribrum a sieve

Example Sentences

Cribellum, kri-bel′um, n. an accessory spinning-organ of certain spiders—also Cribrell′um:—pl.

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The spinning appendages migrate to the posterior end of the opisthosoma and take up a position close to the anus; the inner branches of the anterior pair either atrophy or are represented homogenetically by a plate, the cribellum, or by an undivided membranous lobe, the colulus.

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This comes from Arab. ghirbāl, a sieve, borrowed from Lat. cribellum, diminutive of cribrum.

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