The plural form of cirrus; multiple hair-like, thread-like, or curl-shaped appendages or structures found on organisms, often used for feeding or locomotion.
From Latin 'cirri,' the plural of 'cirrus' (curl, ringlet). This is the standard scientific plural used in biology and marine science terminology.
When you see 'cirri' in a scientific paper, you're looking at one of those moments where English just borrowed a Latin word wholesale—biologists still use the Latin plural because it's shorter and more elegant than saying 'cirri' instead of 'cirrusses'!
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