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
Examples of peristome in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Only when wet, the peristome surface is slippery for insects, so that most ant visitors become trapped.
—
Ncbi Rofl, Discover Magazine, 20 Feb. 2013
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
Under the microscope, the secret to the peristome’s slipperiness is clear.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 21 Sep. 2011
Ncbi Rofl, Discover Magazine, 20 Feb. 2013
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
Under the microscope, the secret to the peristome’s slipperiness is clear.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 21 Sep. 2011
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'peristome.' 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 peristoma, from peri- + Greek stoma mouth — more at stomach entry 1
First Known Use
1799, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near peristome
Cite this Entry
“Peristome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peristome. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
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Medical Definition
peristome
noun
peri·stome
ˈper-ə-ˌstōm
: the area surrounding the mouth or cytostome of a protozoan
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