rostellum

ros·tel·lum

 (rŏ-stĕl′əm)

n. pl. ros·tel·la (rŏ-stĕl′ə)

A small beaklike part, such as a projection on the stigma of an orchid or the hooked projection on the head of a tapeworm.

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[Latin, diminutive of rōstrum, beak; see rostrum.]

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ros·tel′lar adj.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

rostellum

(rɒˈstɛləm)

n, pl -la (-lə)

(Biology) biology a small beaklike process, such as the hooked projection from the top of the head in tapeworms or the outgrowth from the stigma of an orchid

[C18: from Latin: a little beak, from rōstrum a beak]

rosˈtellate, rosˈtellar adj

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

ros•tel•lum

(rɒˈstɛl əm)

n., pl. ros•tel•la (rɒˈstɛl ə)

1. any of various small, beaklike parts, as the mouth tube of sucking bugs or the hook-bearing projection of intestinal tapeworms.

2. a beaklike modified stigma of certain orchids that secretes a sticky fluid, enabling pollen grains to adhere to visiting insects.

[1750–60; < New Latin; Latin: little beak, snout, diminutive of rōstrum snout (see rostrum); for formation, see castle]

Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.