byssus (redirected from byssal)

bys·sus  (bss)

n. pl. bys·sus·es or bys·si (bs)

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.

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[Middle English bissus, linen cloth, from Latin, from Greek bussos, linen; akin to Sanskrit picu, cotton (of Dravidian origin), or ultimately from Egyptian w', linen.]

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byssal (bsl) adj.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

byssus - tuft of strong filaments by which e.g. a mussel makes itself fast to a fixed surface beard fiber, fibre - a slender and greatly elongated substance capable of being spun into yarn