bys·sus  (b ĭs əs)
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n. pl. bys·sus·es or bys·si (b ĭs ī′) 1. Zoology A mass of strong, silky filaments by which certain bivalve mollusks, such as mussels, attach themselves to rocks and other fixed surfaces. 2. A fine-textured linen of ancient times, used by the Egyptians for wrapping mummies.
[Middle English bissus, linen cloth, from Latin, from Greek bussos, linen; akin to Sanskrit picuḥ, cotton (of Dravidian origin), or ultimately from Egyptian w'ḏ, linen.]
byssal (bĭsəl) adj. |