Byssoid

/ˈbɪsɔɪd/ adjective

Definition

Resembling byssus in appearance or structure; thread-like or filament-like in quality, as the attachment fibers of mollusks.

Etymology

From Latin 'byssus' + Greek '-oid' (resembling). The descriptive adjective emerged in biological classification systems to characterize structures that mimic or resemble mussel attachment threads.

Kelly Says

Whenever scientists see something thin, stringy, and sticky, they might call it 'byssoid'—basically saying 'it looks and acts like mussel glue!' even if it came from somewhere completely different!

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