siphuncle

[ sahy-fuhng-kuhl ]

noun

1. (in a nautilus) the connecting tube that passes from the end of the body through all of the septa to the innermost chamber.
2. Entomology. an aphid cornicle.

Other Words From

• si·phuncu·lar si·phun·cu·late [sahy-, fuhng, -ky, uh, -lit], si·phun·cu·lat·ed [sahy-, fuhng, -ky, uh, -ley-tid], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of siphuncle¹

1895–1900; < Latin sīp ( h ) unculus small tube through which water is forced, equivalent to sīp ( h ) ōn-, stem of sīp ( h ) ō siphon + -culus -cule ¹ ( carbuncle )

Example Sentences

They differ from the nautili in having the margins of the septa very much lobed or plaited, and the siphuncle dorsal.

From Project Gutenberg

After Professor Owen. a a, Partitions; b b, chambers; b', the last-formed chamber, in which the animal lives; c c, the siphuncle; d, attaching muscle; e e, the hollow arms; f f, retractile tentacles; g, muscular disk, or foot; h, the eye; i, position of funnel.

From Project Gutenberg

Carboniferous. a, Shell, reduced. b, Section, showing siphuncle.

From Project Gutenberg

The others are empty, and are connected with the body of the animal only by a pipe, or siphuncle, with membranous walls and filled with fluid.

From Project Gutenberg

The dotted line shows the position of the siphuncle.

From Project Gutenberg