stato-
Resting; equilibrium; balance.
[Greek statos, standing.]
A statoblast is a reproductive body in certain bryozoans that can survive unfavourable conditions in a state of rest or stasis; a statocyst is an organ of balance and orientation in some invertebrates; a statocyte is an equivalent organ in some plants; both contain statoliths, particles that sense gravity; a statoscope is a form of aneroid barometer adapted for recording small changes in aircraft altitude.
Visit Michael Quinion’s World Wide Words site for 2000+ articles on English!
Copyright © Michael Quinion 2008–. All rights reserved. Page last updated 23 September 2008.
Your comments and suggestions on the site are very welcome.