n.
Pronunciation: v ī - ' bri-s ə , v ə -
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural vi · bris · sae \ v ī - ' bri-( ˌ )s ē ; v ə - ' bri-( ˌ )s ē , - ˌ s ī \
Etymology: Medieval Latin, from Latin vibrare
Date: circa 1693
1 : one of the stiff hairs that are located especially about the nostrils or on other parts of the face in many mammals and that often serve as tactile organs
2 : one of the bristly feathers near the mouth of many and especially insectivorous birds that may help to prevent the escape of insects