Vibrissa: meaning, definitions and examples

This term is primarily used in scientific or zoological contexts to describe the sensitive, whisker-like hairs found on the face of some animals, particularly around the mouth or nose.

• The cat's vibrissae help it navigate in the dark
• In rodents, vibrissae are crucial for detecting objects in their environment

This term is commonly used in everyday language to describe the long, stiff hairs around the mouth and face of mammals like cats, dogs, and rodents. Less formal and more universally understood compared to 'vibrissa'.

• The cat's whiskers twitched as it sensed something nearby
• Whiskers on the dog help it gauge the width of spaces

Commonly used to describe the antennae or similar sensory appendages of insects and arthropods, particularly in everyday language or literature.

• The butterfly extended its feelers to sense the air
• Ants use their feelers to communicate with each other

Mostly used in scientific discussions to refer to sensory hairs on animals that respond to touch or physical stimuli.

• Tactile hairs on the spider enable it to sense vibrations in its web
• The rabbit's tactile hairs assist it in detecting obstacles in its path

Used in scientific or formal contexts to refer to the stiff hairs found on animals, primarily mammals, that are typically around the mouth or nose and serve a sensory function.

• The vibrissae of the cat are crucial for navigating in the dark.
• Researchers studied the role of vibrissae in rodents’ ability to sense their environment.

Commonly used in everyday language and casual conversation to describe the long, stiff hairs on the face of animals like cats, dogs, and rats that help them navigate their environment.

• The cat twitched its whiskers as it sensed something moving in the grass.
• My dog’s whiskers tickle my face when he nuzzles me.

This term is often used in scientific, educational, and detailed descriptive contexts to describe any kind of hair or bristle that serves a sensory purpose across different species.

• The sensory hairs on insects help them detect movement in their surroundings.
• Fish also have sensory hairs, which assist them in maintaining balance and detecting changes in water pressure.

Primarily used in scientific or explanatory contexts to describe hairs that have a touch-sensitive function in animals.

• Tactile hairs on the legs of a spider allow it to perceive vibrations.
• The tactile hairs on a dog's face help it sense nearby objects even in the dark.