Spiracle
[Noun]
Webster's Dictionary 1828
1. A small aperture in animal and vegetable bodies, by which air or other fluid is
exhaled or
inhaled; a small hole, orifice or
vent; a
pore; a minute passage; as the spiracles of the human skin.
2. Any small aperture, hole or
vent.
Spiracle
[Noun]
Webster's Dictionary 1913
1. The
nostril, or one of the nostrils, of whales, porpoises, and allied animals.
2. 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.
4. Any small aperture or
vent for air or other fluid.
