Definitions for byssus
ˈbɪs əs; ˈbɪs aɪbyssus

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. byssus, beardnoun

   tuft of strong filaments by which e.g. a mussel makes itself fast to a fixed surface

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. byssusnoun

   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.

2. byssusnoun

   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.

3. byssusnoun

   The stipe or stem of some fungi which are particularly thin and thread-like.

4. Etymology: From byssus, from byssus, from βύσσος, from בוץ, בּוש.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Byssus

   A byssus () is a bundle of filaments secreted by many species of bivalve mollusc that function to attach the mollusc to a solid surface. Species from several families of clams have a byssus, including pen shells (Pinnidae), true mussels (Mytilidae), and Dreissenidae.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Byssusnoun

   a cloth of exceedingly fine texture, used by the ancients. It is disputed whether it was of cotton, linen, or silk

2. Byssusnoun

   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

3. Byssusnoun

   an obsolete name for certain fungi composed of slender threads

4. Byssusnoun

   asbestus

FreebaseRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Byssus

   A byssus is a group of strong filaments that are secreted by some families of clams, in order to attach themselves to hard surfaces. Well known for possessing a byssus are several families of clams, including the pen shells, the true mussels and the false mussels: the Pinnidae, the Mytilidae and the Dreissenidae. The phrase "byssus cloth" is also used to mean a rare fabric also known as sea silk, which is made using the byssus of pen shells as a fiber source.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Byssus

   bis′us, n. a fine yellowish flax, and the linen made from it: the bundle of fine silky filaments by which many shellfish attach themselves to rocks, &c.: a genus of cryptogamic plants of a silky fibrous texture found on decaying wood, in mines, &c., and other dark places.—adjs. Byssif′erous, bearing or having a byssus; Byss′ine, made of fine linen. [L.—Gr. byssos, a fine flaxen or silky substance.]

Dictionary of Nautical TermsRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. byssus

   The silken filaments of any of the bivalved molluscs which adhere to rocks, as the Pinna, Mytilus, &c. The silken byssus of the great pinna, or wing-shell, is woven into dresses. In the Chama gigas it will sustain 1000 lbs. Also, the woolly substance found in damp parts of a ship.

Suggested ResourcesRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. byssus

   Song lyrics by byssus -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by byssus on the Lyrics.com website.

Matched Categories

1. • Fiber

How to pronounce byssus?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say byssus in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of byssus in Chaldean Numerology is: 9

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of byssus in Pythagorean Numerology is: 6