Defn: A vibrating reed for transmitting or receiving pulsating currents in a harmonic telegraph system. (3)
Defn: A device for vibrating the pen of a siphon recorder to diminish frictional resistance on the paper. (4) An oscillator. (b) An ink-distributing roller in a printing machine, having an additional vibratory motion. (a) (Music) A vibrating reed, esp. in a reed organ. (d) (Weaving) Any of various vibrating devices, as one for slackening the warp as a shed opens. (e) An attachment, usually pneumatic, in a molding machine to shake the pattern loose.
VIBRATORY
Vi"bra*to*ry, a. Etym: [Cf. F. vibratoire.]
Defn: Consisting in, or causing, vibration, or oscillation; vibrating; as, a vibratory motion; a vibratory power.
VIBRIO Vib"ri*o, n.; pl. E. Vibrios, L. Vibriones. Etym: [NL., fr. L. vibrare to vibrate, to move by undulations.] (Biol.)
Defn: A genus of motile bacteria characterized by short, slightly sinuous filaments and an undulatory motion; also, an individual of this genus.
VIBRISSA Vi*bris"sa, n.; pl. Vibrissæ. Etym: [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.]
1. (Anat.)
Defn: 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.
2. (Zoöl.)