siphuncle

American  

[sahy-fuhng-kuhl] / ˈsaɪ fʌŋ kəl /

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.

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Other Word Forms

• siphuncular adjective
• siphunculate adjective
• siphunculated adjective

Etymology

Origin of siphuncle

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 ( see carbuncle)

Example Sentences

Shell straight, with wide margina siphuncle, necks produced into tubes fitting into one another.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 6 "Celtes, Konrad" to "Ceramics" by Various

The siphuncle also commences with a dilatation which deeply indents the front wall of the initial chamber, called the protoconch, but does not penetrate into its cavity.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 6 "Celtes, Konrad" to "Ceramics" by Various

The dotted line shows the position of the siphuncle.

From The Chain of Life in Geological Time A Sketch of the Origin and Succession of Animals and Plants by Dawson, Sir J. William

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

From The Chain of Life in Geological Time A Sketch of the Origin and Succession of Animals and Plants by Dawson, Sir J. William

The lower figure section showing the air-chambers, and the form and position of the siphuncle.

From The Ancient Life History of the Earth A Comprehensive Outline of the Principles and Leading Facts of Palæontological Science by Nicholson, Henry Alleyne