noun
rostrum
A projecting body part shaped like a beak.
The shrimp's pointed rostrum projects forward from its head.
Etymology
Latin rostrum means beak or snout. Zoology retains that shape-based meaning for a projecting part resembling a beak.
More examples
- The lobster has a short rostrum between its eyes.
- The dolphin's elongated rostrum gives its face a beaklike shape.
- These shrimp species have differently shaped rostra.
Forms
rostrum · rostra · rostrums
rostral adjective — Relating to a beaklike anatomical projection.