siphuncle

[ sahy-fuhng-kuhl ]

noun

1. (in a nautilus) the connecting tube that passes from the end of the body through all of the septa to the innermost chamber.
2. Entomology. an aphid cornicle.

Other Words From

• si·phuncu·lar si·phun·cu·late [sahy-, fuhng, -ky, uh, -lit], si·phun·cu·lat·ed [sahy-, fuhng, -ky, uh, -ley-tid], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of siphuncle¹

1895–1900; < Latin sīp ( h ) unculus small tube through which water is forced, equivalent to sīp ( h ) ōn-, stem of sīp ( h ) ō siphon + -culus -cule ¹ ( carbuncle )

Example Sentences

It is peculiar to the louse tribe (Pediculid), and it consists of the tubulet (Tubulus), and siphuncle (Siphunculus).

From Project Gutenberg

In Ammonoids the siphuncle is always marginal, and usually external.

From Project Gutenberg

The siphuncle in the Nautilus pierces the centres of the septa, and in fossil Nautiloids it is usually central or sub-central.

From Project Gutenberg

Shell straight or slightly curved, with a simple aperture, large terminal chamber and cylindrical siphuncle.

From Project Gutenberg

Shell straight, with wide margina siphuncle, necks produced into tubes fitting into one another.

From Project Gutenberg