Definition of Byssus. Meaning of Byssus. Synonyms of Byssus
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Definition of Byssus
Byssus Byssus Bys"sus, n.; pl. E. Byssuses; L. Byssi.[L. byssus
fine flax, fine linen or cotton, Gr. by`ssos .]
1. A cloth of exceedingly fine texture, used by the ancients.
It is disputed whether it was of cotton, linen, or silk.
[Written also byss and byssin.]
2. (Zo["o]l.) A tuft of long, tough filaments which are
formed in a groove of the foot, and issue from between the
valves of certain bivalve mollusks, as the Pinna and
Mytilus, by which they attach themselves to rocks, etc.
3. (Bot.) An obsolete name for certain fungi composed of
slender threads.
4. Asbestus.