vibrissa
/vaɪˈbrɪsə/
noun
- A stiff, sensitive whisker on the face of an animal, such as a cat or dog, used for sensing touch and air movements.
- Scientists study vibrissae to understand how animals navigate in the dark.
- The cat's vibrissae twitched as it explored the narrow gap.
- A dog uses its vibrissae to detect nearby objects without seeing them.
- One of the stiff hairs inside the human nostril that help filter dust and particles from the air.
- Some people trim their nasal vibrissae for a neater appearance.
- The tiny vibrissae in your nose trap pollen before it reaches your lungs.
- The doctor explained that nasal vibrissae are part of the body's natural defense system.
Synonyms