英文字典中文字典Word104.com

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Spiracle \Spir"a*cle\, n.[L. spiraculum, fr. spirare to breathe:
cf. F. spiracule. See {Spirit}.]
1. (Anat.) The nostril, or one of the nostrils, of whales,
porpoises, and allied animals.
[1913 Webster]

2. (Zool.)
(a) One of the external openings communicating with the
air tubes or tracheae of insects, myriapods, and
arachnids. They are variable in number, and are
usually situated on the sides of the thorax and
abdomen, a pair to a segment. These openings are
usually elliptical, and capable of being closed. See
Illust. under {Coleoptera}.
(a) A tubular orifice communicating with the gill cavity
of certain ganoid and all elasmobranch fishes. It is
the modified first gill cleft.
[1913 Webster]

3. Any small aperture or vent for air or other fluid.
[1913 Webster]