byssus

noun

bys·​sus ˈbi-səs 

plural byssuses or byssi ˈbi-ˌsī 

-(ˌ)sē

1

: a fine probably linen cloth of ancient times

2

[New Latin, from Latin] : a tuft of long tough filaments by which some bivalve mollusks (such as mussels) adhere to a surface

Examples of byssus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Eliminate the incrustations and the byssus, if present, wash them very well under running water. — Morgan Hines, USA TODAY, 23 Dec. 2022

Then comes the slightly tedious task, which is pulling off the byssus, or beard, a small length of what looks like black threads twisted together. — Washington Post, 29 Oct. 2020

The granules consist of iron and a protein called mfp-1, heavily linked to one other - this makes the byssus hard. — Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 5 Mar. 2010

Word History

Etymology

Middle English bissus, from Latin byssus, from Greek byssos flax, of Semitic origin; akin to Hebrew būṣ linen cloth

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for byssus

• nisus
• physis
• abscissas
• narcissus
• symphysis
• adenohypophysis
• apophysis
• diaphysis
• dionysus
• epiphysis
• hemolysis
• hypophysis