rhabdom

noun

rhab·​dom ˈrab-ˌdäm How to pronounce rhabdom (audio)
-dəm
variants or rhabdome
ˈrab-ˌdōm How to pronounce rhabdom (audio)
: one of the minute rodlike structures in the retinulae in the compound eyes of arthropods

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Rhabdom, borrowed from Late Greek rhábdōma "bundle of rods," from Greek rhábdos "rod, wand" + -ōma -ome — more at rhabdo-

First Known Use

1878, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rhabdom was in 1878

Dictionary Entries Near rhabdom

rhabdolith

rhabdom

rhabdomancy

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Rhabdom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rhabdom. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rhabdom

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