peristome
Americannoun
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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.
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Zoology. any of various structures or sets of parts that surround or form the walls of a mouth or mouthlike opening.
noun
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a fringe of pointed teeth surrounding the opening of a moss capsule
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any of various parts surrounding the mouth of invertebrates, such as echinoderms and earthworms, and of protozoans
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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.
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The area or parts around the mouth in certain invertebrates, such as the echinoderms.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of peristome
From the New Latin word peristoma, dating back to 1790–1800. See peri-, -stome
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A structure called a peristome increases the spread of spores after the tip of the capsule falls off at dispersal.
From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015
Its removal does not, however, leave the mouth of the capsule wide open, for around the margin are two circles of pointed teeth forming the peristome.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3 "Brescia" to "Bulgaria" by Various
Upon the left edge of the peristome is a high, undulating membrane, sail-like in appearance when extended.
From Marine Protozoa from Woods Hole Bulletin of the United States Fish Commission 21:415-468, 1901 by Gary N. (Gary Nathan) Calkins
In Polytrichum a membranous epiphragm stretches across the wide mouth of the capsule between the tips of the short peristome teeth, and closes the opening except for the interspaces of the peristome.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3 "Brescia" to "Bulgaria" by Various
On the right edge of the peristome are large, powerful cilia.
From Marine Protozoa from Woods Hole Bulletin of the United States Fish Commission 21:415-468, 1901 by Gary N. (Gary Nathan) Calkins
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