vibrissa

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: vi=bris=sa

CIDE DICTIONARY

vibrissa, n. [L. vibrissae, pl., the hairs in the nostrils of man, fr. vibrare to vibrate; -- so called because touching them tickles a person, and causes him to shake his head.].

•  One of the specialized or tactile hairs which grow about the nostrils, or on other parts of the face, in many animals, as the so-called whiskers of the cat, and the hairs of the nostrils of man.  [1913 Webster]
•  The bristlelike feathers near the mouth of many birds.  [1913 Webster]