aristae
|a-ris-tae|
/əˈrɪstiː/
(arista)
bristle-like awn
Etymology
'arista' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'arista', where it meant 'awn' or 'ear (of grain)'.
'arista' passed from Classical Latin into scientific and Late Latin usage and was then borrowed into English as a technical botanical/entomological term; the Latin plural form 'aristae' is retained in English usage for the plural.
Initially it meant 'awn' or 'ear of grain' in Latin; over time the term has retained that botanical sense and has been extended in specialist usage to denote similar stiff, bristle-like projections in insects.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural form of 'arista': (botany) the bristle or awn of a grass or similar plant, a stiff hairlike projection on the spikelet or seed of cereals and grasses.
The barley's long aristae helped the seeds latch onto passing animals.
Synonyms
Noun 2
plural form of 'arista': (entomology) stiff, hairlike appendages or bristles found on the antennae or body of certain insects (often used in describing antennal structure, e.g., aristate antennae).
Many dipteran species have conspicuous aristae on their antennae.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/14 15:01