rhabdom

noun

rhab·dom ˈrab-ˌdäm

-dəm

variants or rhabdome

ˈrab-ˌdōm

: one of the minute rodlike structures in the retinulae in the compound eyes of arthropods

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Rhabdom, borrowed from Late Greek rhábdōma "bundle of rods," from Greek rhábdos "rod, wand" + -ōma -ome — more at rhabdo-

First Known Use

1878, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of rhabdom was in 1878

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rhabdolith

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Rhabdom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rhabdom. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.

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rhabdom

noun

Word History

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