terebra

noun

tere·​bra
təˈrēbrə,
ˈterəb-
1
plural terebras
-brəz
or terebrae
-ē(ˌ)brē;
-ə(ˌ)brē,
-əˌbrī
: a device used by the ancient Romans for starting a breach in a fortified wall
2
[New Latin, from Latin, borer]
a
plural -s : the boring ovipositor of a hymenopterous insect
b
capitalized : a genus of marine gastropods (suborder Stenoglossa) having a long tapering spire and being the type of a family Terebridae comprising the auger shells
c
terebral
təˈrēbrəl
ˈterəb-
adjective

Word History

Etymology

Latin, borer, gimlet, from terere to rub, grind + -bra, suffix denoting an instrument

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Cite this Entry

“Terebra.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terebra. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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