ampulla of Lorenzini

noun phrase

ampulla of Lo·​ren·​zi·​ni -ˌlȯr-ən-ˈzē-nē 

: any of the pores on the snouts of marine sharks and rays that contain receptors highly sensitive to weak electric fields

Word History

Etymology

after Stefano Lorenzini 17th-century Italian physician

Note: The ampullae were described by Lorenzini in Osservazioni intorno alle torpedini (Florence, 1678).

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above