rostellum

[ ro-stel-uh m ]

/ rɒˈstɛl əm /

noun, plural ros·tel·la [ro-stel-uh] /rɒˈstɛl ə/.

Biology. any small, beaklike process.

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

Zoology.

a projecting part of the scolex in certain tapeworms.
a part of the mouth in many insects, designed for sucking.

Nearby words

Origin of rostellum

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for rostellum

Asa Gray's observations on the rostellum of Gymnadenia are very imperfect, yet worth looking at.
More Letters of Charles Darwin Volume II|Charles Darwin
One has a rostellum without hooks, like the tni of the vegetable-feeders, the other has hooks like those of the carnivora.
Animal Parasites and Messmates|P. J. Van Beneden
I would give a good deal to know what the rostellum is, of which I have traced so many curious modifications.
The Life and Letters of Charles Darwin, Volume II (of II)|Charles Darwin
I want to know whether anything beats in modification the rostellum of Catasetum.
More Letters of Charles Darwin Volume II|Charles Darwin

So in other cases, but I have not completely traced (only seen) that going to the rostellum.
More Letters of Charles Darwin Volume II|Charles Darwin

British Dictionary definitions for rostellum

rostellum

/ (rɒˈstɛləm) /

noun plural -la (-lə)

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

Derived Formsrostellate or rostellar, adjective

Word Origin for rostellum

C18: from Latin: a little beak, from rōstrum a beak

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for rostellum

rostellum

[ rŏ-stĕl′əm ]

n. pl. ros•tel•la (rŏ-stĕl′ə)

A small beaklike part, such as the hooked projection on the head of a tapeworm.