vibrissa

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Word: Vibrissa

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: A vibrissa is a long, stiff hair that grows on the face of many mammals, especially around the snout and the brow. These hairs are often referred to as "whiskers." They help animals sense their surroundings, especially in the dark or tight spaces.

Usage Instructions:

• When to Use: You can use the word "vibrissa" when talking about the specific sensory hairs of animals, especially in a scientific or biological context. In everyday conversation, people usually say "whiskers."
• Example: "The cat's vibrissae helped it navigate through the dark room without bumping into anything."

Advanced Usage:

In scientific discussions about animal anatomy or behavior, "vibrissa" can be used to describe the role these hairs play in the animal's sensory perception.

Word Variants:

• Vibrissae (plural form): This is used when discussing more than one vibrissa.
  • Example: "The vibrissae of the dog are very sensitive and help it detect movements."

Different Meanings:

• While "vibrissa" primarily refers to the sensory hairs on mammals, in some contexts, it can also refer to similar structures in other animals, such as certain fish.

Synonyms:

• Whiskers
• Sensitive hairs

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs directly associated with "vibrissa," but you might come across phrases related to "whiskers" in informal contexts, such as "to have one's whiskers in a twist," which means to be upset or annoyed.

Summary:

In summary, "vibrissa" refers to the long, stiff, sensory hairs found on the faces of many mammals. They play an important role in helping animals sense their environment.

Academic

Noun

1. a long stiff hair growing from the snout or brow of most mammals as e.g. a cat

Synonyms

• whisker
• sensory hair