vibrissa
Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
- noun Any of the long stiff hairs that project from the snout or brow of most mammals, as the whiskers of a cat.
from The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- noun In human anatomy, one of the hairs which grow in the nostrils.
Examples
-
Each facial vibrissa is linked with 50 to 200 nerve fibers.
-
On its way to the food-box, no matter whether the box be slightly or strikingly different from its companion box, the dancer may go by way of the wrong box, may take a few turns, cut some figure-eights, or even spin like a top for seconds almost within vibrissa-reach of the food-box, and all this even though it be very hungry.
Note
The word 'vibrissa' comes ultimately from a Latin word meaning 'to vibrate'.
