seta

noun

se·​ta ˈsē-tə How to pronounce seta (audio)
plural setae ˈsē-ˌtē How to pronounce seta (audio)
: a slender usually rigid or bristly and springy organ or part of an animal or plant
setal adjective

Examples of seta in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Post up, wait for your moment, and ask for a quesadilla de quelites con requeson (wild greens with ricotta) or flor de calabaza con queso (squash blossoms with oaxacan cheese) or setas (wood ear mushrooms, no cheese). Scarlett Lindeman, Bon Appetit, 28 Mar. 2018 The setas with garlic plate ($7) is essentially a small ceramic boat filled with sliced Italian brown mushrooms (creminis) sautéed with lots of garlic, finely chopped red onion and probably too much Marsala wine. James Patrick Kelly, idahostatesman, 18 Jan. 2018 Stinging caterpillars do not actively try to sting predators; but when they are touched, their hairy setae break off on the attacker and the poison is released. Jefferson County Cooperative Extension, AL.com, 22 Aug. 2017 These setae are divided at the tip into millions of nanoscale structures called spatulae. National Geographic, 9 July 2016 In 2006, Stanford researchers took inspiration from geckos to create a robot that clambered along surfaces using synthetic setae, the tiny, sticky hairs that give geckos their climbing skills. Katie Drummond, WIRED, 3 Feb. 2010

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'seta.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin saeta, seta bristle

First Known Use

circa 1793, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of seta was circa 1793

Dictionary Entries Near seta

Cite this Entry

“Seta.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seta. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

seta

noun
se·​ta ˈsēt-ə How to pronounce seta (audio)
plural setae ˈsē-ˌtē How to pronounce seta (audio)
: a slender usually rigid or bristly and springy organ or part of an animal or plant

Medical Definition

seta

noun
se·​ta ˈsēt-ə How to pronounce seta (audio)
plural setae ˈsē-ˌtē How to pronounce seta (audio)
: a slender usually rigid or bristly and springy organ or part of an animal or plant

More from Merriam-Webster on seta

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