Spinneret
- Pronunciation
- /spin-uh-RET/
- Category
- Anatomy
- Singular
- Spinneret
- Plural
- Spinnerets
Definition
An organ used by spiders and some insects to produce silk from specialized glands.
Etymology
Derived from the late Middle English 'spinner', from Old English 'spinnan', meaning 'to spin', and the diminutive suffix '-et'.
Example
The spider used its spinnerets to create a web for capturing prey.
Synonyms
- Silk-producing organ
Related Terms
- Silk gland
- Web
- Arachnid
- Secretion
- Abdomen
Usage Notes
Spinnerets are typically located at the rear end of a spider or insect's abdomen and may vary in number and form depending on the species.