| Vibrissa | ‖n.; pl. Vibrissae [ L. vibrissae, pl., the hairs in the nostrils of man, fr. vibrare to vibrate; -- so called because touching them tickles a person, and causes him to shake his head. ] 1. (Anat.) One of the specialized or tactile hairs which grow about the nostrils, or on other parts of the face, in many animals, as the so-called whiskers of the cat, and the hairs of the nostrils of man. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. (Zool.) The bristlelike feathers near the mouth of many birds. [ 1913 Webster ] |