vibraculum

American  

[vahy-brak-yuh-luhm] / vaɪˈbræk yə ləm /

noun

plural

vibracula

1. any of the modified polyps on the surface of certain bryozoan colonies, having a long, whiplike appendage that clears away debris.

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vibraculum British  

/ vaɪˈbrækjʊləm /

noun

1. zoology any of the specialized bristle-like polyps in certain bryozoans, the actions of which prevent parasites from settling on the colony

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Other Word Forms

• vibracular adjective
• vibraculoid adjective

Etymology

Origin of vibraculum

1850–55; < New Latin, equivalent to Latin vibrā ( re ) to shake + -culum -cule ²

Example Sentences

Each furnished with a sessile avicularium at the upper and outer angle in front, and with a vibraculum placed in the sinus on the outer and lower part of the cell behind.

From Project Gutenberg

Cells elongate, external side nearly straight, vibraculum sublateral, very prominent.

From Project Gutenberg

Opening of cell broad oval, pointed below; three short indistinct spines above; vibraculum large, sinus deep.

From Project Gutenberg

These transverse tubular fibres are, like the radical fibres in Scrupocellaria, always inserted, not into the body of a cell, but into a vibraculum.

From Project Gutenberg

Each vibraculum appears to belong not to a single cell as in Scrupocellaria, but to be common to, or applied to the backs of several.

From Project Gutenberg