Word Frequency
spiracle (ˈspaɪərəkəl
; ˈspaɪrə-)
Definitions
noun
- any of several paired apertures in the cuticle of an insect, by which air enters and leaves the trachea
- a small paired rudimentary gill slit just behind the head in skates, rays, and related fishes
- any similar respiratory aperture, such as the blowhole in whales
- (geology) a protrusion of sediment into a lava flow, formed by the explosive transition of water into steam
Derived Forms
spiracular (spɪˈrækjʊlə
) adjectivespiˈraculate adjective
Word Origin
C14 (originally: breath): from Latin spīrāculum vent, from spīrāre to breatheExample Sentences Including 'spiracle'
{ spiracle } One of many pores in the cuticle of insects, connecting the tracheae with the atmosphere.Biology Basic Facts
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