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rhab·dom

(răbdəm, -dŏm′)

A rodlike structure in the center of each ommatidium in the compound eye of an arthropod, composed of microvilli extending from the surrounding retinular cells.

[From Greek rhabdōma, bundle of rods, from Greek rhabdos, rod; see RHABDOMANCY.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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