byssus
- Noun. An exceptionally fine and valuable fibre or cloth of ancient times. Originally used for fine flax and linens, its use was later extended to fine cottons, silks, and sea silk.
- Noun. The long fine silky filaments excreted by several mollusks (particularly ''Pinna nobilis'') by which they attach themselves to the sea bed, from which sea silk is manufactured.
- Noun. The stipe or stem of some fungi which are particularly thin and thread-like.
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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.