pecten

noun

pec·​ten ˈpek-tən 

plural pectens

1

: scallop sense 1a

2

plural usually pectines ˈpek-tə-ˌnēz  : a body part that resembles a comb

especially : a folded vascular pigmented membrane projecting into the vitreous humor in the eye of a bird or reptile

Word History

Etymology

New Latin pectin-, pecten, from Latin, comb, scallop

First Known Use

1682, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

pecten

noun

pec·​ten ˈpek-tən 

plural pectines -tə-ˌnēz 

: a body part that resembles a comb

especially : a folded vascular pigmented membrane projecting into the vitreous body in the eye of a bird or reptile