peristome

noun

peri·​stome ˈper-ə-ˌstōm 

1

: the fringe of teeth surrounding the orifice of a moss capsule

2

: the region around the mouth in various invertebrates

peristomial

ˌper-ə-ˈstō-mē-əl 

adjective

Examples of peristome in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

With the peristome teeth extended, the capsule is only about 1 millimeter wide, yet from afar the mosses often give a drab blackish impression. — Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 5 Feb. 2023

With the peristome teeth extended, the capsule is only about one millimeter wide, yet from afar the mosses often give a drab blackish impression. — Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 9 Jan. 2023

Only when wet, the peristome surface is slippery for insects, so that most ant visitors become trapped. — Ncbi Rofl, Discover Magazine, 20 Feb. 2013

Word History

Etymology

New Latin peristoma, from peri- + Greek stoma mouth — more at stomach entry 1

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for peristome

• acrosome
• aerodrome
• catacomb
• centrosome
• chromosome
• cytochrome
• hippodrome
• honeycomb
• liposome
• meerschaum
• metronome
• microtome

Medical Definition

peristome

noun

peri·​stome ˈper-ə-ˌstōm 

: the area surrounding the mouth or cytostome of a protozoan

peristomial

ˌper-ə-ˈstō-mē-əl 

adjective