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spiraclemore about spiracle

spiracle


  2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Spiracle  \Spir"a*cle\,  n.[L.  spiraculum  fr  spirare  to  breathe: 
  cf  F.  spiracule.  See  {Spirit}.] 
  1.  (Anat.)  The  nostril,  or  one  of  the  nostrils,  of  whales, 
  porpoises,  and  allied  animals. 
 
  2.  (Zo["o]l.) 
  a  One  of  the  external  openings  communicating  with  the 
  air  tubes  or  trache[ae]  of  insects,  myriapods,  and 
  arachnids.  They  are  variable  in  number,  and  are 
  usually  situated  on  the  sides  of  the  thorax  and 
  abdomen,  a  pair  to  a  segment.  These  openings  are 
  usually  elliptical,  and  capable  of  being  closed.  See 
  Illust.  under  {Coleoptera}. 
  a  A  tubular  orifice  communicating  with  the  gill  cavity 
  of  certain  ganoid  and  all  elasmobranch  fishes.  It  is 
  the  modified  first  gill  cleft. 
 
  3.  Any  small  aperture  or  vent  for  air  or  other  fluid. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  spiracle 
  n  :  a  breathing  orifice 




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