Definition of BYSSUS

byssus

Plural: byssi, byssuses

Noun

  • A fine, precious linen cloth, especially in ancient times.
  • 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.

Examples

  • Finding BYSSUS was a rare, elegant word, like uncovering ancient treasure on the board.

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

Words With Friends Score: 12

byssus: valid Words With Friends Word