/pek"teuhn/ , n. , pl. pectens, pectines /-teuh neez'/ .
1. Zool. , Anat.
a. a comblike part or process.
b. a pigmented vascular membrane with parallel folds suggesting the teeth of a comb, projecting into the vitreous humor of the eye in birds and reptiles.
2. any bivalve mollusk of the genus Pecten; scallop.
[ 1350-1400; ME pecten comb, rake, scallop, pubes, akin to pectere, Gk pékein to comb, card ]