Found 2 items, similar to spiracle.
English → English (WordNet)
Definition: spiracle
spiracle
n : a breathing orifice
English → English (gcide)
Definition: Spiracle
Spiracle
\Spir"a*cle\, n.[L. spiraculum, fr. spirare to breathe:
cf. F. spiracule. See
Spirit.]
1. (Anat.) The nostril, or one of the nostrils, of whales,
porpoises, and allied animals.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) One of the external openings communicating with the
air tubes or trache[ae] of insects, myriapods, and
arachnids. They are variable in number, and are
usually situated on the sides of the thorax and
abdomen, a pair to a segment. These openings are
usually elliptical, and capable of being closed. See
Illust. under
Coleoptera.
(a) A tubular orifice communicating with the gill cavity
of certain ganoid and all elasmobranch fishes. It is
the modified first gill cleft.
[1913 Webster]
3. Any small aperture or vent for air or other fluid.
[1913 Webster]