Definitions for byssusˈbɪs əs; ˈbɪs aɪ
Random House Webster's College Dictionary
bys•susˈbɪs əs; ˈbɪs aɪ(n.)(pl.)bys•sus•es, bys•si
a collection of silky filaments by which certain mollusks attach themselves to rocks.
Category: Zoology
an ancient cloth, thought to be of linen, cotton, or silk.
Category: Textiles
Origin of byssus:
1350–1400; ME < L < Gk býssos a fine cotton or linen < Semitic
Princeton's WordNet
byssus, beard(noun)
tuft of strong filaments by which e.g. a mussel makes itself fast to a fixed surface
Wiktionary
byssus(Noun)
An exceptionally fine and valuable fibre or cloth of ancient times. Originally used for fine flax and linens, its use was later extended to fine cottons, silks, and sea silk.
byssus(Noun)
The long fine silky filaments excreted by several mollusks (particularly Pinna nobilis) by which they attach themselves to the sea bed, from which sea silk is manufactured.
byssus(Noun)
The stipe or stem of some fungi which are particularly thin and thread-like.
Origin: From byssus, from byssus, from βύσσος, from בוץ, בּוש.
Webster Dictionary
Byssus(noun)
a cloth of exceedingly fine texture, used by the ancients. It is disputed whether it was of cotton, linen, or silk
Byssus(noun)
a tuft of long, tough filaments which are formed in a groove of the foot, and issue from between the valves of certain bivalve mollusks, as the Pinna and Mytilus, by which they attach themselves to rocks, etc
Byssus(noun)
an obsolete name for certain fungi composed of slender threads
Byssus(noun)
asbestus
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