| vibrissa | 1. <anatomy> One of the specialized or tactile hairs which grow about the nostrils, or on other parts of the face, in many animals, as the so-called whiskers of the cat, and the hairs of the nostrils of man. 2. <ornithology> The bristlelike feathers near the mouth of many birds. Origin: L. Vibrissae, pl, the hairs in the nostrils of man, fr. Vibrare to vibrate; so called because touching them tickles a person, and causes him to shake his head. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| vibrissae | <zoology> Stiff hairs projecting from the face around the nose of most mammals, acting as touch receptors. (12 Dec 1998) |
| vibrissal | Relating to the vibrissae. (05 Mar 2000) |