pecten
[ pek-tuh n ]
/ ˈpɛk tən /
noun, plural pec·tens, pec·ti·nes [pek-tuh-neez] /ˈpɛk təˌniz/.
Zoology, Anatomy.
- a comblike part or process.
- a pigmented vascular membrane with parallel folds suggesting the teeth of a comb, projecting into the vitreous humor of the eye in birds and reptiles.
any bivalve mollusk of the genus Pecten; scallop.
Origin of pecten
1350–1400; Middle English < Latin
pecten comb, rake, scallop, pubes, akin to
pectere, Greek
pékein to comb, card
Words nearby pecten
pecos bill,
pecquet,
pecs,
pectase,
pectate,
pecten,
pecten band,
pectenitis,
pectenosis,
pectic,
pectic acid
Example sentences from the Web for pecten
British Dictionary definitions for pecten
pecten
/ (ˈpɛktɪn) /
noun plural -tens or -tines (-tɪˌniːz)
a comblike structure in the eye of birds and reptiles, consisting of a network of blood vessels projecting inwards from the retina, which it is thought to supply with oxygen
any other comblike part or organ
any scallop of the genus Pecten, which swim by expelling water from their shell valves in a series of snapping motions
Word Origin for pecten
C18: from Latin: a comb, from
pectere, related to Greek
pekein to comb
Medical definitions for pecten
pecten
[ pĕk′tən ]
n. pl. pec•tens
A body structure or an organ resembling a comb.