dead man's fingers
The term "dead man's fingers" is used across various biological fields to describe organisms with finger-like structures, often evoking a macabre imagery.
Definition
B2Mycology
(technical, scientific)A fungus that grows on decaying wood, characterized by its elongated, finger-like appearance.
Example
- The forest floor was dotted with the eerie black structures of dead man's fingers.
B2Marine Biology
(technical, scientific)A type of soft coral found in the North Atlantic Ocean, known for its finger-like projections.
Example
- Divers often encounter dead man's fingers attached to rocky substrates.
C1Botany
(technical, scientific)Certain species of orchids characterized by pale, finger-like roots.
Example
- The early purple orchid, known as dead man's fingers, blooms in the spring.
B2Marine Biology
(technical, scientific)A seaweed species with finger-like fronds.
Example
- Codium fragile, commonly known as dead man's fingers, is often found in tidal pools.
B2Marine Biology
(technical, scientific)The finger-like gills of a crab.
Example
- The crab's dead man's fingers are a delicacy in some cuisines.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "dead man's fingers":
devil's fingerdead man's handdead handsticky fingersdead menold man's beard