01 n. An organ for aquatic respiration; a branchia.
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1.
An organ for aquatic respiration; a branchia.(Anat.)“Fishes perform respiration under water by the gills.” — Ray.
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2.
The radiating, gill-shaped plates forming the under surface of a mushroom.(Bot.)
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3.
The fleshy flap that hangs below the beak of a fowl; a wattle.(Zool.)
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4.
The flesh under or about the chin.
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5.
One of the combs of closely ranged steel pins which divide the ribbons of flax fiber or wool into fewer parallel filaments.(Spinning)
Phrases & compounds
Gill arches —
Same as Branchial arches.
Gill cover —
See Operculum.
Gill frame —
a spreader; a machine for subjecting flax to the action of gills.
Gill net —
a flat net so suspended in the water that its meshes allow the heads of fish to pass, but catch in the gills when they seek to extricate themselves.
Gill opening —
an opening behind and below the head of most fishes, and some amphibians, by which the water from the gills is discharged. In most fishes there is a single opening on each side, but in the sharks and rays there are five, or more, on each side.
Gill rakes —
horny filaments, or progresses, on the inside of the branchial arches of fishes, which help to prevent solid substances from being carried into gill cavities.