eyestalk

1 7.1

A long thin part that sticks out from animals like crabs or snails with an eye at the end

noun
/ˈaɪˌstɔk/

: tallo ocular

The crab extended its eyestalk to get a better view of its surroundings.
eyestalk ablation
end of each eyestalk

Examples

Geode's eyestalks twisted and untwisted, then he extended two of his arms.

Fiction book (1998)
At the end of each eyestalk are some 10,000 ommatidia, or little eyes.

Academic text (2004)
"Thanks," said Daisy Fay, turning one eyestalk toward him.

Fiction book (1991)
As he pushed himself and the globe back to the center of the tank, Nary's eyestalks all aimed at the escape lines.

Fiction book (2001)
"Stand by for wave-drive," she said, her eyestalks glancing up to look at the screens.

Fiction book (1991)
"The alien's serpentine eyestalks writhed fretfully as Adam explained his decision."

Fiction book (2001)
A sextet of slimy eyestalks stiffened quizzically.

Fiction book (2001)
Anyway, it shouldn't. " Daisy Fay's eyestalks tipped back and forth like shaking heads.

Fiction book (1991)
The two protruding, vertical budlike organs above the claw are eyestalks; at the end of each eyestalk is a hemispherical compound eye.

Academic text (2004)
" The massive two-meter-tall being named RAH fluttered six eyestalks tipped with unblinking apple-sized eyes.

Fiction book (2001)

Surface Forms

eyestalk singular

eyestalks plural

Morphology

eyestalk = eye + stalk (transparent) = eye + stalk

Direct, literal combination of 'eye' + 'stalk' yielding a stalk bearing an eye, which learners can easily infer from the parts.

Etymology

The word eyestalk is a simple compound of eye and stalk, and stalk means a 'stem' or long 'support'. So an eyestalk is literally a little stem with an eye on the end, which explains why crabs and snails can lift or pull them to look around or for safety.