vibrissae

 
Pronunciation: /vʌɪˈbrɪsiː/

plural noun

Zoology
  • long stiff hairs growing around the mouth or elsewhere on the face of many mammals, used as organs of touch; whiskers.
  • Ornithology coarse bristle-like feathers growing around the gape of certain insectivorous birds that catch insects in flight.

Origin:

late 17th century: from Latin, literally 'nostril hairs'