fibrillar 
bundles having become homogeneous, and lost their fibril- 
lar structure." Darwin, Insectiv. Plants, p. 105. 
fibrillary (fi'bri-la-ri), a. [< fibrilla + -ary?.] 
Fibrillar. 
Upon examination by Drs. Brower and Lyman he had 
pupillary inequality, nystagmus, fibrillari/ twitcllings of 
muscles of face. Alien, and Neural., IX. 463. 
flbrillate (fi'bri-lat), v. t. ; pret. and pp. fibril- 
lated, ppr. fibrillating. [< fibrilla + -ate 2 .] To 
form into fibrils or fibers. 
flbrillate (fi'bri-lat), a. Same as fibrillated. 
In large compound sporophores the surface of sections 
or broken pieces may often appear fibrillate even to the 
naked eye. De Bary, Fungi (trans.), p. 57. 
fibrillated(fi'bri-la-ted),a. Having fibrils; con- 
sisting of fibrillffi ; finely fibrous in structure. 
The trichite sheaf may be regarded as a fibrillated 
spicule. Encyc. Brit., XXII. 418. 
fibrillation (fi-bri-la'shon), n. [< fibrillate + 
-ion.~\ The state of being fibrillar or fibrillated. 
In the specimens [of flbrocartilage] which had been left 
on the leaves of Drosera, until they re-expanded, parts 
were altered ; . . . they had become more transparent, 
almost hyaline, with the fibrillation of the bundles indis- 
tinct. Darwin, Insectiv. Plants, p. 105. 
Muscular fibrillation, a localized quivering or flickering 
of muscular fibers. Quain, Med. Diet. 
fibrilliferous (fi-bri-lif'e-rus), a. [< NL. fibril- 
la, fibril, + L. ferre = E. bear 1 .] Fibril-bear- 
ing: provided with fibrils. 
fibrilllform (fi-bril'i-form), a. [< NL. fibrilla, 
fibril, + L. forma, form.] Resembling fibril- 
lee or small fibers Fibrilliform tissue, a phrase 
sometimes applied to the entangled fiber-like mycelium 
of many fungi and lichens: same us fibrous mycelium. 
In some of the lower orders of plants there is a kind of 
tissue present |to] which . . . the names of tela contexta 
and interlacing fibrilUfonn tissue have been given. 
R. Bentley, Botany, p. 37. 
fibrillose (fi'bri-los), a. [< fibrilla + -ose.] 1. 
In bot. : (a) Furnished or clothed with fibrils. 
(6) Composed of small fibers. 2. Marked with 
fine lines, as if composed of fine fibrils ; finely 
striate Fibrillose mycelium. See mycelium. 
fibrillous (fi'bri-lus), a. Same as fibrillar. 
Hence arise those uneasy sensations, pains, fibrilloits 
spasms, &c., that hypochondriacks usually complain of. 
Kinneir, The Nerves, p. 14. 
fibrin (fi'brin), n. [= F. fibrins = Sp. Pg. It. 
fibrina; < L. fibra, a fiber, + -ire 2 .] A complex 
nitrogenous substance belonging to the class 
of proteids. Its chemical composition is not certainly 
known. Fibrin is procured in its most characteristic state 
from fresh blood by whipping it with a bundle of twigs. 
It is also found in the chyle. It is an elastic solid body, 
generally having a filamentous structure, which softens 
in air, becoming viscid, brown, and semi-transparent, but 
is insoluble in water. It dissolves in solutions of many 
neutral salts, but is precipitated from them by heat or by 
acids; it is also soluble in alkali hydrates, and is not pre- 
cipitated from such solutions by heat. A proteid some- 
what resembling animal fibrin in its properties is extract- 
ed from wheat, corn, and other grains, and called vegetable 
fibrin. Fibrin ferment, a substance which may be ob- 
tained by mixing blood with alcohol, allowing it to stand, 
collecting the coagulated matters, and drying and extract- 
ing with water. It causes rapid coagulation of the blood. 
fibrination (fl-bri-na'ghpn), n. [< fibrin + 
-ation.] The acquisition of the capacity of 
forming in coagulation an amount of fibrin 
greater than is normal: as, the fibrination of 
the blood in pleurisy. 
fibrine (fi'brin), a. [< L. fibra, fiber, + -ine 1 .] 
Presenting a fibrous appearance ; finely divided 
or fringed. [Rare.] 
Against the scarlet and gold in the west the fibrine 
summits of the tree-clad Mount Edgecumbe trembled. 
W. C. Russell, A Strange Voyage, iii. 
fibrinogen (fi'bri-no-ien), re. [< fibrin + -gen : 
see -gen.] A proteid substance belonging to 
the group of globulins, found in the blood and 
concerned in the process of coagulation. 
It [fluid fibrin] is first generated in the blood and other 
liquids by the chemical combination of two nearly related 
compounds, which have been named by the author "fibri- 
nogen" and "flbrinoplastin." 
Frey, Histol. and Histochem. (trans.), p. 16. 
fibrinogenic (fi'bri-no-jen'ik), a. [< fibrinogen 
+ -ic.] Pertaining to or of the nature of fibrino- 
gen : as, fibrinogenic substance. 
fibrinogenous (fi-bri-noj'e-nus), a. [< fibrino- 
gen + -ous.] Having the character of fibrino- 
gen ; forming fibrin : as, a fibrinogenous sub- 
stance. 
fibrinoplastic (fi"bri-no-plas'tik), a. [< fibrin 
+ plastic.'] Having the character of fibrino- 
plastin. 
The serum of the blood, synovia, humours of the eye, 
and saliva, are all fibrinoplastic. 
Frey, Histol. and Histochem. (trans.), p. 18. 
fibrinoplastin (fi"bri-no-plas'tin), n. [< fibrin 
+ plastin.] A proteid 'substance found in the 
2198 
blood, belonging to the group of globulins, and 
concerned in the process of coagulation : same 
as paraglobulin. 
fibrinous (fi'bri-mis), a. [< fibrin + -ous.] 
Having the character of fibrin; resembling 
fibrin. 
fibro-areolar (fi"br6-a-re'o-liir), a. Consisting 
of tissue made up of fibrous and areolar varie- 
ties of connective tissue Fibro-areolar fascia. 
See/ascwz. 
fibroblast (fi'bro-blast), n. [< L. fibra, fiber, 
+ Gr. /3/>.or6f, germ.] One of the cells which 
give rise to connective tissue. 
fibroblastic (fi-bro-blas'tik), a. [< fibroblast 
+ -ic.] Giving rise to fibrous or connective 
tissue, as a cell ; of the nature of or pertaining 
to fibroblasts. 
fibrocalcareous (fi'brd-kal-ka're-us), a. [< L. 
fibra, fiber, + calcarius, of lime: see calcare- 
ous.'] Consisting of fibrous tissue and contain- 
ing calcareous bodies, as the skin of a holothu- 
rian. 
fibrocartilage (fi-bro-kar'ti-laj), n. [< L. fibra, 
fiber, + cartilago, cartilage.] 1. A tissue re- 
sembling cartilage, but differing from it in that 
the intercellular substance becomes fibrillated. 
In the immediate vicinity of the cells, however, the inter- 
cellular substance is as in ordinary cartilage, and forms the 
hyaline capsules of the cells. 
2. A part of fibrocartilaginous tissue ; any in- 
dividual plate, disk, or other piece of fibrocar- 
tilage lying in or about a joint Acromloclavic- 
ular fibrocartilage, a piece of flbrocartilage interposed 
between the acroniiaf end of the clavicle and the acromial 
process of the scapula. Circumferential flbrocarti- 
lage, a ring of fibrocartilaginous tissue forming a raised 
rim or border around an articular cavity, which is thus 
deepened, as about the glenoid fossa of the scapula or 
the cotyloid fossa of the innominate bone. Connecting 
flbrocartilage, flbrocartilaginous tissue connecting ap- 
posed surfaces of bones in articulations of slight or no 
mobility, as between bodies of vertebrae and at the pubic 
symphysis or sacroiliac synchondrosis. Interartlcular 
flbrocartilage, any fibrocartilage which is situated in 
the cavity of an articulation. Intercoccygeal flbro- 
cartilage, the intervertebral substance between any two 
vertebra of the coccyx. Interpublc flbrocartilage, 
the iuterarticular fibrocartilage of the pubic symphysis. 
Intervertebral flbrocartilage, the special kind of inter- 
articular flbrocartilage between the bodies of vertebrae, 
forming disks separating any two bodies, closely adherent to 
both, tough and fibrous at the periphery, softer, pulpy, and 
more cartilaginous in the center, and constituting elastic 
cushions or buffers between the vertebral bodies, increas- 
ing the mobility and elasticity of the spinal column, and di- 
minishing the shock of concussion. Radio-ulnar flbro- 
cartilage, a triangular piece of flbrocartilage between 
the distal ends of the radius and ulna : also called trian- 
ijular fibrocartilage. Sacrococcygeal flbrocartilage, 
the intervertebral substance between the last sacral and the 
first coccygeal vertebra. Semllunar flbrocartilage. 
Same as semihmar cartilage (which see, under cartilage). 
Sternoclavlcular flbrocartilage, a piece of flbrocar- 
tilage found between the sternal endof the clavicle and the 
manubrium of the sternum. Stratiform flbrocarti- 
lage, a layer of fibrocartilaginous tissue forming a bed or 
groove in which the tendon of a muscle lies and glides. 
Temporomaxillary flbrocartilage, a piece of flbro- 
cartilage which lies in the articulation between the lower 
jaw-bone and the glenoid fossa of the temporal bone. 
Triangular flbrocartilage. Same as radio-ulnar fibm- 
cartilage. 
fibrocartilaginous (fi-bro-kiir-ti-laj'i-nus), a. 
Having the character of fibrocartilage ; consist- 
ing of fibrocartilage : as, fibrocartilaginous tis- 
sue ; a fibrocartilaginous disk. 
fibrocellular (fi-bro-sel'u-lar), a. [< L. fibra, 
fiber, + E. cellular.'] \. Having fibers and 
cells; composed of mixed fibrous and cellular 
tissue ; fibro-areolar. All ordinary cellular or 
areolar connective tissue is strictly fibrocellu- 
lar. 2. In bot. : (a) Composed of cells the walls 
of which are marked by thickened bands, ridges, 
reticulations, etc. [Not in use.] (6) In al- 
gology, composed of firm elongated cells which 
adhere together so as to form a filament-like 
mass of tissue. Harvey. 
fibrochpndrosteal (fi'bro-kon-dros'te-al),*?. 
[< L. fibra, fiber, + Gr. ^<iv(!pof , gristle, -t- bareov, 
bone.] Consisting of fibrous tissue, gristle, 
and bone. 
The whole skeleton then, may be denoted by the term 
fibrochondrosteal apparatus. Sfivart, Elem. Anat., p. 22. 
fibrocystic (fi-bro-sis'tik), a. [< L. fibra, fiber, 
+ Gr. KVOTIC, bladder (E. cyst), + -ic.] Fibroid 
and cystic : applied to fibroid tumors containing 
cysts. 
fibroferrite (fi-bro-fer'it), n. [< L. fibra, fiber, 
+ ferrum, iron, + -te 2 .] A hydrous sulphate 
of iron, occurring in delicately fibrous forms of 
a pale-yellow color. 
fibroid (fi'broid), a. and n. [< L. fibra, fiber, + 
-oid.'] I. a. Resembling, containing, or taking 
the form of fiber ; fibrous : as, a fibroid tumor. 
Fibroid degeneration, phthisis, etc. See the nouns. 
fibrousness 
II. . Inpathol. : () Afibroma. (6) Aleio- 
myoma. 
fibroin (fi'bro-in), n. [< L. fibra, fiber (taken 
in the mod. 'combining form fibro-), + -in-.] 
The principal chemical constituent of silk, cob- 
webs, and the horny skeletons of sponges. In 
the pure state it is white, insoluble in water, ether, acetic 
acid, etc., but dissolves in an ammoniacal solution of cop- 
per, and also in concentrated acids and alkalis. 
fibrolite (fi'bro-lit), n. [< L. fibra, fiber, + 
Gr. Ai'flor, a stone.] A mineral of a white or 
gray color and fibrous to columnar structure. 
It is a subsilicate of aluminium (AlSil ) r ,), and has the same 
composition as andalusite and cyanite. Also called MK- 
manite and bucholziti'. 
fibroma (fi-bro'ma), n. ; pi. fibromata (-ma-ta). 
[NL., < L. fibra, fiber, + -oma.] Inpathol., a 
tumor consisting of connective tissue. 
fibromatous (fi-brom'a-tus), ft. [< fibroma(t-) 
+ -oils.] Pertaining to or of the nature of a 
fibroma. 
fibromUCOUS (fi-bro-mu'kus), a. [< L. fibra, 
fiber, + mucosus, mucous.] Having the char- 
acter of fibrous tissue and mucous membrane ; 
combining fibrous and mucous tissues: applied 
to mucous membranes backed by firm fibrous 
tissue. 
fibromuscular (fi-bro-mus'ku-lar), a. [< L. 
fibra, fiber, + musculus, muscle'.] Characterized 
by the presence of both connective and mus- 
cular tissue : applied to tumors. 
fibromyoma (fi"br6-ml-6'ma), n.; pi. fibromyo- 
mata (-ma-ta). [< L. fibra, fiber, + NL. myoma, 
q. v.] Inpathol. : (a) A leiomyoma. (6) A tu- 
mor consisting of fibrous and muscular tissue. 
fibromyomatous (fi"br6-mi-om'a-tus), a. [< 
fibromyoma (t-) + -ous.] Pertaining to or of 
the nature of a fibromyoma; fibromuscular. 
fibroplastic (fi-bro-plas'tik), a. [< L. fibra, 
fiber, + Gr. ir/.aaaeiv, form: see plastic.] Fiber- 
making : an epithet sometimes applied to tu- 
mors usually designated as small spindle-celled 
sarcomata. 
Fibrosa (fi-bro'sa), n. pi. [NL., neut. pi. of 
fibrosus: see fibrous.] The fibrous sponges. 
See Fibrospongice. 
fibrosarcoma (fi"brd-sar-k6'ma), n. ; pi. fibro- 
sarcomata (-ma-ta). [NL., < L. fibra, fiber, + 
NL. sarcoma, q. v.] Inpathol., a tumor inter- 
mediate in character between a fibroma and a 
sarcoma. 
fibrose (fi'bros), a. Same as fibrous. 
fibroserous (fi-bro-se'rus), a. [< L. fibra, fiber, 
+ E. serous.] Having the character of fibrous 
tissue and serous membrane; uniting fibrous 
and serous tissues in one structure. All serous 
membranes are in fact fibrous in structure, with 
a serous surface on one side. 
fibrosis (fi-bro'sis), . [NL., < L. fibra, fiber, + 
-osis.] \npathol., the development in an organ 
of a substance of fibrous texture. 
Changes were found in the inferior cervical ganglia, in- 
dicating atrophy and fibrosis. Medical News, LII. 495. 
Arteriocaplllary flbrosls. See arteriocapillary. 
Fibrospongise (fi-bro-spon'ji-e), n. pi. [NL., < 
L. fibra, fiber, + spongia, sponge.] One of the 
principal divisions of the Porifera or Spongida; 
the fibrous sponges. They present the utmost di- 
versity of form, but agree in the possession of a fibrous 
skeleton or ceratode, which may be highly developed and 
devoid of silicious spicules, as in the commercial sponges, 
or inconspicuous in comparison with the richly elaborated 
and complicated silicious frames of such genera as Hyalo- 
nema and Euplectella, the glass-sponges. See cut under 
Euplectella. 
fibrous (fi'brus), a. [= F. fibreux = Sp. tiebro- 
so, fibroso = Pg. It. fibroso, < NL. fibrosus, < 
L. fibra, fiber: see fiber 1 .] Containing or con- 
sisting of fibers ; having the character of fibers. 
Also fibrose. 
The plentious Pastures, and the purling Springs, 
Whose fibrous silver thousand Tributes brings 
To wealthy lordan. 
Sylvester, tr. of Du Bartas's Weeks, ii., The Vocation. 
The space between these [muscle-cells] and the outer 
face of the intestine is occupied by a spongy or fibrous 
substance, which must probably be regarded as a kind of 
connective tissue. Huxley, Anat. Invert, p. 546. 
FlbrOUS COaL See coal. Fibrous cone. Same as co- 
rona radiata (which see, under corona). Fibrous myce- 
lium. See mycelium. Fibrous structure, in mineral., 
a structure characterized by fine or slender threads, either 
straight or curved, parallel, diverging, or stellated. Asbes- 
tos has, for example, & fibrous structure. Fibrous tissue, 
the general common connective tissue of the body, com- 
posed or largely consisting of white inelastic or yellow elas- 
tic fibers, such as the periosteum of bones, the perichon- 
drium of cartilage, the capsules of glands, the meninges of 
the brain, the ligaments of joints, and the fascia? and ten- 
dons of muscles. The phrase is sometimes extended to 
other and special tissues, as the nervous and muscular, 
which contain or consist of fibers or filaments. 
fibrousness (fi'brus-nes), . The state or qual- 
ity of being fibrous. Bailey, 1727. 
