Wednesday, 12 May 2010

Spiracle

SPIRACLE

–noun
1. a breathing hole; an opening by which a confined space has communication with the outer air; air hole.
2. Zoology .
a. an aperture or orifice through which air or water passes in the act of respiration, as the blowhole of a cetacean.
b. an opening in the head of sharks and rays through which water is drawn and passed over gills.
c. one of the external orifices of the tracheal respiratory system of certain invertebrates, usually on the sides of the body.



A spirited spiracle
Tells of an Etruscan tale
Or of someone's sense of humour.

3 comments:

Lorenzo — Alchemist's Pillow said...

Learning new vocabulary was never so much fun as with your daily posts, Nathalie. I had never seen (or noticed) this word before. For me, learning a new word is like getting a new toy. Can't way to try it out.

Lorenzo — Alchemist's Pillow said...

I obviously meant to say "can't wait to try it out", not "can't way to try it out". Oh well, perhaps I should work a bit on the old words before trying out the new 'spiracle'.

Lorenzo — Alchemist's Pillow said...
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