statocyst

noun

stato·​cyst ˈsta-tə-ˌsist How to pronounce statocyst (audio)
: an organ of equilibrium found in usually aquatic invertebrates that is typically a fluid-filled vesicle lined with sensory hairs which detect the position of suspended statoliths

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of statocyst was in 1892

Dictionary Entries Near statocyst

Cite this Entry

“Statocyst.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/statocyst. Accessed 10 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on statocyst

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!