apopyle
|a-pop-yle|
🇺🇸
/əˈpɑːpaɪl/
🇬🇧
/əˈpɒpaɪl/
outward opening / outlet
Etymology
'apopyle' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'apópylē', where 'apo-' meant 'away' and 'pylē' meant 'gate' or 'entrance'.
'apopyle' was adopted into New Latin/technical biological vocabulary from Greek (via classical scientific usage) and entered modern English usage primarily in zoological and anatomical descriptions.
Initially it meant 'away-gate' or 'outer gate' in Greek, and it has retained a similar technical sense as 'an outward opening or outlet' in biological terminology.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a small outlet or opening through which water exits a choanocyte (flagellated) chamber in certain sponges; an exhalant aperture leading toward the spongocoel or osculum.
Water passes from the choanocyte chambers through the apopyles on its way to the osculum.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/21 09:06