Definition of BYSSUS

byssus

Meanings

Plural: byssi, byssuses

Noun

  • tuft of strong filaments by which e.g. a mussel makes itself fast to a fixed surface
  • The long fine silky filaments excreted by several mollusks (particularly Pinna nobilis) by which they attach themselves to the sea bed, and from which sea silk is manufactured.
  • Sea silk manufactured from these filaments.
  • The stipe or stem of some fungi which are particularly thin and thread-like.

Origin / Etymology

From New Latin byssus (“sea silk”), from Latin byssus (“fine cotton or cotton stuff, silk”), from Ancient Greek βύσσος (bússos, “a very fine yellowish flax and the linen woven from it”), from Hebrew בּוּץ (búts), Aramaic בּוּצָא (būṣā).

Synonyms

beard

Scrabble Score: 11

byssus is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
byssus is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
byssus is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 12

byssus is a valid Words With Friends word