spinneret

[ spin-uh-ret, spin-uh-ret ]

noun

1. an organ or part by means of which a spider, insect larva, or the like spins a silky thread for its web or cocoon.
2. a metal plate or cup with tiny holes through which a chemical solution is extruded to form continuous filaments, as of rayon, nylon, or polyester.

spinneret

/ ˈspɪnəˌrɛt /

noun

1. any of several organs in spiders and certain insects through which silk threads are exuded
2. a finely perforated dispenser through which a viscous liquid is extruded in the production of synthetic fibres

spinneret

/ spĭn′ə-rĕt′ /

1. One of the small openings in the back part of a spider or silk-producing insect larva, through which the sticky fluid that dries into silk is released.

Word History and Origins

Origin of spinneret¹

First recorded in 1820–30; spinner + -et

Word History and Origins

Origin of spinneret¹

C18: from spinner + -et

Example Sentences

But in a paper published Wednesday in Science Advances, he and his colleagues lay out a new way to tackle the spider silk puzzle, mimicking its orderly exit from the spinneret with chemical tools in the lab.

From New York Times

Using a “spinneret” gland just below its mouth, it spins a patch of silk on a branch and grips it with strong rear feet, hanging upside down.

From Literature

Equipped with a tiny sewing machine–like spinneret, the spider weaves about 20 microloops into every millimeter of silk it ejects, which strengthens their sticky spool and prevents it from collapsing.

From Science Magazine

Alongside modern spider traits such as a silk-producing structure called a spinneret, it possessed a remarkably primitive feature: a whip-like tail covered in short hairs that it may have used for sensing predators and prey.

From Reuters

Alongside modern spider traits such as a silk-producing structure called a spinneret, it possessed a remarkably primitive feature: a whip-like tail covered in short hairs that it may have used for sensing predators and prey.

From Reuters