vibraculum

[ vahy-brak-yuh-luh m ]
/ vaɪˈbræk yə ləm /

noun, plural vi·brac·u·la [vahy-brak-yuh-luh] /vaɪˈbræk yə lə/.

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

Origin of vibraculum

1850–55; < New Latin, equivalent to Latin vibrā(re) to shake + -culum -cule2

OTHER WORDS FROM vibraculum

vi·brac·u·lar, adjective vi·brac·u·loid, adjective

Words nearby vibraculum

Example sentences from the Web for vibraculum

British Dictionary definitions for vibraculum

vibraculum
/ (vaɪˈbrækjʊləm) /

noun plural -la (-lə)

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

Derived forms of vibraculum

vibracular, adjective vibraculoid, adjective

Word Origin for vibraculum

C19: from New Latin, from Latin vibrāre to brandish