How Do You Spell BARBICEL?

Pronunciation: [bˈɑːbɪsə͡l] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "Barbicel" is unique and can be confusing to some. Using the International Phonetic Alphabet or IPA, we can break down the spelling and pronunciation of the word. It is pronounced as "bahr-buh-suhl", with the emphasis on the second syllable. The "b" is pronounced as a voiced bilabial plosive, the "a" as a short open central vowel, and the "r" as an alveolar trill. The "c" is pronounced as a voiceless alveolar fricative and the "e" as a short closed-mid vowel. Finally, the "l" is pronounced as a voiced alveolar lateral approximant.

BARBICEL Meaning and Definition

1. A barbicel is a specialized hook-like structure found in certain species of birds, particularly in the order Passeriformes. It is a minute extendable appendage that arises from the middle portion of a feather's shaft called the rachis. Functioning as a vital component of the bird's plumage system, barbicels possess small, interlocking branches that connect the barbs of a feather, providing stability and maintaining the feathers' symmetrical alignment.

   These interlocking branches, known as barbules, consist of a series of minute hooks that project in a downward direction from one side of the barb. When a feather is preened, or groomed, the barbules become aligned, allowing them to interlock and form a cohesive feather vane structure. This mechanism contributes to the bird's ability to fly by generating a smooth, aerodynamic surface while also providing insulation and enhancing waterproofing capabilities. Barbicels also play a significant role in the bird's ability to maintain its feathers' arrangement by preventing them from slipping out of their original positions.

   The term "barbicel" is derived from the Latin word "barbīcula," meaning "a little beard" or "fine hair." This name aptly reflects the appearance and function of the structure, resembling tiny hooks or bristles that aid in maintaining the integrity of a bird's flight feathers. Barbicels are a vital evolutionary adaptation that enhances a bird's ability to navigate the skies and ensures the robustness of its plumage.

Common Misspellings for BARBICEL

• varbicel
• narbicel
• harbicel
• garbicel
• bzrbicel
• bsrbicel
• bwrbicel
• bqrbicel
• baebicel
• badbicel
• bafbicel
• batbicel
• ba5bicel
• ba4bicel
• barvicel
• barnicel
• barhicel
• bargicel
• barbucel

Etymology of BARBICEL

The word "barbicel" comes from the Late Latin term "barbicellus", which means "small beard" or "fine hair". It is a diminutive form of the Latin word "barba", which means "beard". In ornithology, barbicels refer to the minute hooks on the barbules that hold the feathers of a bird's plumage together. The term was first used in English in the mid-19th century.

Plural form of BARBICEL is BARBICELS