pecten

[ pek-tuhn ]

noun

, plural pec·tens, pec·ti·nes [pek, -t, uh, -neez].

1. Zoology, Anatomy.
   1. a comblike part or process.
   2. 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.

pecten

/ ˈpɛktɪn /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of pecten¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin pecten comb, rake, scallop, pubes, akin to pectere, Greek pékein to comb, card

Word History and Origins

Origin of pecten¹

C18: from Latin: a comb, from pectere, related to Greek pekein to comb

Example Sentences

Scallops (Pecten) will be found at the base of the plants, and the common prawns are very numerous, swimming freely about.

From Project Gutenberg

The species P. maculatum lives in Mytilus edulis (mussel) and in the smooth scallop, Pecten magellanicus.

From Project Gutenberg

The end branchlets are acute and pectinate (pecten, a comb), or arranged like the teeth of a comb.

From Project Gutenberg

I feel, myself, that an exhaustive examination of the structure and function of the pecten of scorpions ought to be undertaken.

From Project Gutenberg

A special sense-organ, such as the flabellum of Limulus or the pecten of scorpion, remains and gives rise to the auditory organ.

From Project Gutenberg