flocculus

noun

floc·​cu·​lus ˈflä-kyə-ləs How to pronounce flocculus (audio)
plural flocculi ˈflä-kyə-ˌlī How to pronounce flocculus (audio) -ˌlē How to pronounce flocculus (audio)
1
: a small loosely aggregated mass
2
: a bright or dark patch on the sun

Examples of flocculus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This dinosaur had a very small flocculus, a part of the brain key to eye fixation when the head, neck or body is in motion -- especially when targeting competitors or predators. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 20 Jan. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, diminutive of Latin floccus tuft of wool

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of flocculus was in 1799

Dictionary Entries Near flocculus

Cite this Entry

“Flocculus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flocculus. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

flocculus

noun
floc·​cu·​lus -ləs How to pronounce flocculus (audio)
plural flocculi -ˌlī How to pronounce flocculus (audio) -ˌlē How to pronounce flocculus (audio)
: a small irregular lobe on the undersurface of each hemisphere of the cerebellum that is linked with the corresponding side of the nodulus by a peduncle
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