| hyalonema | <zoology> A genus of hexactinelline sponges, having a long stem composed of very long, slender, transparent, siliceous fibres twisted together like the strands of a colour. The stem of the Japanese species (H. Sieboldii), called glass-rope, has long been in use as an ornament. See Glass-rope. Origin: NL, fr. Gr. Glass + a thread. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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