statocyst

[ stat-uh-sist ]

nounZoology.
  1. (in certain invertebrates) a sense organ consisting of a sac enclosing sensory hairs and particles of sand, lime, etc., that functions in maintaining equilibrium, serving to indicate position in space.

Origin of statocyst

1
1900–05; stato- (see statoblast) + -cyst

Words Nearby statocyst

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for statocyst

statocyst

/ (ˈstætəʊsɪst) /


noun
  1. an organ of balance in some invertebrates, such as crustaceans, that consists of a sensory vesicle containing small granules: See statolith

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