BYSSUS

byssus, beard

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

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

byssus (usually uncountable, plural byssi or byssuses)

An exceptionally fine and valuable fibre or cloth of ancient times. Originally used for fine flax and linens, the word was later extended to fine cottons, silks, and sea silk.

The long fine silky filaments excreted by several mollusks (particularly Pinna nobilis) by which they attach themselves to the sea bed, and from which sea silk is manufactured.

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

Source: Wiktionary

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Bys"sus, n.; pl. E. Byssuses(#); L. Byssi.(#) Etym: [L. byssus fine flax, fine linen or cotton, Gr.

1. A cloth of exceedingly fine texture, used by the ancients. It is disputed whether it was of cotton, linen, or silk. [Written also byss and byssin.]

2. (Zoöl.)

Definition: 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. (Bot.)

Definition: An obsolete name for certain fungi composed of slender threads.

4. Asbestus.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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