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Glite Dictionary
setaceous

setaceous

9.9
Having many short stiff hairs like those on a brush
  • adjective
  • /sɪˈteɪʃəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : setáceo
  • Some plants develop setaceous leaves as a defense against herbivores.

Examples

  • The setaceous hairs on the plant help reduce water loss.

  • The ornithologist noted the setaceous tips of the bird's tail feathers.

  • Many caterpillars are setaceous, with rows of fine hairs covering their bodies.

  • Many insects have setaceous features that aid in camouflage.

  • Many caterpillars are setaceous, with rows of fine hairs covering their bodies.

  • The plant's leaves are setaceous, making them less palatable to herbivores.

  • The ornithologist noted the setaceous tips of the bird's tail feathers.

Synonyms

bristly
vssetaceous
1 4.6

Covered with short, stiff hairs that feel rough

covers bristle structures more generally, not only short hairs
bearded
vssetaceous
  • Specialized
1 6.3

With long stiff hairs that grow on the seed heads of some grains

describes bristles generally rather than specifically long awns
setose
vssetaceous
  • Specialized
9.9

Having many short stiff hairs like bristles

is the same meaning but a different form of the adjective
bristled
vssetaceous
4.5

Covered with many short stiff hairs or small sharp points

refers more narrowly to fine bristle structures rather than larger spines
bristlelike
vssetaceous
7.7

Having short stiff hairs like a brush

means actually having bristles rather than merely resembling them
barbellate
vssetaceous
  • Specialized
9.9

Covered with many small sharp points like spines

means bristly in general and does not require hooked barbs

How Bristly

setaceous
  • Specialized
9.9
hairy
134 1.0
downy
4 4.2
smooth
256 1.0

Surface Forms

setaceous positive

Morphology

setaceous = seta (opaque) = seta + aceous

Although the word is formally built from 'seta' plus '-aceous', the base is technical and not likely known to an average learner, so the meaning is not readily recoverable.

Etymology

Setaceous comes from the Latin root seta, meaning 'bristle', plus the ending -aceous, meaning 'made of' or 'like'. So setaceous means 'bristly', like the stiff hairs on a caterpillar or the bristles of a brush, which helps you remember its current meaning.