rostellum

American  

[ro-stel-uhm] / rɒˈstɛl əm /

noun

rostella plural

1. Biology. any small, beaklike process.

2. Botany. a beaklike modification of the stigma in many orchids.

3. Zoology.

   1. a projecting part of the scolex in certain tapeworms.

   2. a part of the mouth in many insects, designed for sucking.

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rostellum British  

/ rɒˈstɛləm /

noun

1. biology a small beaklike process, such as the hooked projection from the top of the head in tapeworms or the outgrowth from the stigma of an orchid

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• rostellate
  adjective

Inflected Forms

noun

• rostella
  plural

Etymology

Origin of rostellum

1750–60; < New Latin; Latin: little beak, snout, diminutive of rōstrum snout ( see rostrum); for formation, see castellum

Example Sentences

I have been much interested by what you say on the rostellum exciting pollen to protrude tubes; but are you sure that the rostellum does excite them?

From More Letters of Charles Darwin — Volume 2 by Darwin, Francis, Sir

I have asked Asa Gray for seeds, to whom I have mentioned your observations on rostellum, and asked him to look closer to the case of Gymnadenia.

From More Letters of Charles Darwin — Volume 2 by Darwin, Francis, Sir

I want to know whether anything beats in modification the rostellum of Catasetum.

From More Letters of Charles Darwin — Volume 2 by Darwin, Francis, Sir

By the way, Cephalanthera has single pollen-grains, but this seems to be a case of degradation, for the rostellum is utterly aborted.

From More Letters of Charles Darwin — Volume 2 by Darwin, Francis, Sir

You can hardly imagine what an interesting morning's work you have given me, as the rostellum exhibited a quite new modification of structure.

From More Letters of Charles Darwin — Volume 2 by Darwin, Francis, Sir