seta

American  

[see-tuh] / ˈsi tə /

noun

Biology.

plural

setae

1. a stiff hair; bristle or bristlelike part.

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seta British  

/ sɪˈteɪʃəs, ˈsiːtə /

noun

1. (in invertebrates and some plants) any bristle or bristle-like appendage

2. (in mosses) the stalk of the sporophyte that bears the capsule

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seta Scientific  

/ sē′tə /

plural

setae

1. A stiff hair, bristle, or bristlelike process or part on an organism. Setae on the bodies of spiders are used as sensory organs, while setae on the bodies of many polychaete worms, such as earthworms, are used for locomotion. Microscopic setae on the feet of geckos allow adhesion to vertical surfaces.

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Other Word Forms

• setaceous adjective
• setaceously adverb
• setal adjective

Etymology

Origin of seta

First recorded in 1785–95, seta is from the Latin word sēta, saeta “bristle”

Example Sentences

The researchers also found that the caterpillars’ setae responded most dramatically when the electric field oscillated at a rate comparable to the beating of a wasp’s wings.

From Science Magazine

According to the legend, the more black setae—long prickly hairs—found on a woolly bear, the harsher the coming winter will be.

From National Geographic

Others are white wasps — not that kind — of the species Dasymutilla gloriosa, which have painful stingers and luxuriously silky hair, or setae.

From New York Times

These setae are composed predominantly of beta-keratin, a protein found in reptiles that is in the keratin family.

From Reuters

He took a break from making pasta to talk about his love of sushi and why his mandilli di seta has the city swooning.

From Los Angeles Times