Vibrissa Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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vibrissa

[vʌɪˈbrɪsə ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

on a cat

Long, stiff hairs located on a cat's face, particularly around the nose and eyes. Vibrissae are sensitive to touch and help a cat navigate in the dark.

Synonyms

feelers, tactile hairs, whiskers.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
vibrissa	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
whiskers	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
feelers	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
tactile hairs	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

Examples of usage

Kittens use their vibrissae to explore their environment.
The vibrissae on the cat's face twitched as it sniffed the air.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

on a bat

Specialized hairs found on the face of bats, which aid in navigating and hunting in the dark. Vibrissae are essential for echolocation.

Synonyms

sensory hairs, tactile hairs, whiskers.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
vibrissa	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.
whiskers	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.
sensory hairs	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.
tactile hairs	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.

Examples of usage

Bats rely on their vibrissae to detect obstacles while flying.
The bat's vibrissae are incredibly sensitive to changes in air currents.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Animal Behavior

Many mammals, including rodents, cats, and seals, rely on vibrissae to navigate and hunt in their environments.
These hairs can detect even the slightest changes in air currents, helping animals respond to their surroundings quickly.

Science

Vibrissae are rooted deeply in the skin, surrounded by nerve endings that send signals to the brain about touch and movement.
Research shows that animals with well-developed vibrissae are often more adept at exploring new environments.

Cultural References

In literature and art, whiskers are often depicted on animals to symbolize intuition and sensitivity.
Cartoons often exaggerate the size of vibrissae on characters to emphasize their quirky, expressive personalities.

Human Applications

Scientists study vibrissae in animals to inspire technology, like creating sensitive robotic sensors for navigation.
Vibrissae-like sensors are used in robotics to help machines better understand and interact with their environment.

Origin of 'vibrissa'

Main points about word origin

The word 'vibrissa' comes from Latin, where 'vibrāre' means 'to vibrate,' reflecting their sensitivity.
In biology, 'vibrissae' is the plural form, commonly used to refer to these specialized hairs on various animals.

The word 'vibrissa' originates from Latin and means 'shaggy hair.' Vibrissae are a common feature in many mammals, serving as sensory organs. They play a crucial role in detecting objects and navigating dark environments. The use of vibrissae in animals such as cats and bats showcases the evolutionary adaptation for survival in various habitats.