Holdfast
- Pronunciation
- /HOLD-fast/
- Category
- Morphology
- Singular
- Holdfast
- Plural
- Holdfasts
Definition
A specialized structure used by some organisms, such as algae and certain sessile marine invertebrates, to anchor themselves to surfaces. In the context of entomology and arachnology, this term is not commonly used to describe structures in aquatic arthropods.
Etymology
Related Terms
- Anchorage
- Attachment
Usage Notes
Holdfast is more commonly associated with marine algae and sessile invertebrates rather than aquatic insects or arthropods in entomology.