Byssus

Origin

From New Latin byssus ("sea silk"), from Latin byssus ("fine cotton or cotton stuff, silk"), from Ancient Greek βύσσος ("a very fine yellowish flax and the linen woven from it"), from Hebrew בּוּץ, Aramaic בּוש.

Noun

1. An exceptionally fine and valuable fibre or cloth of ancient times. Originally used for fine flax and linens, its use was later extended to fine cottons, silks, and sea silk.
2. The long fine silky filaments excreted by several mollusks (particularly ) by which they attach themselves to the sea bed, and from which sea silk is manufactured.
3. (mycology) The stipe or stem of some fungi which are particularly thin and thread-like.

Related terms

• byssaceous
• byssal
• byssiferous
• byssine
• byssinosis
• byssoid
• byssogenous
• byssolite