fusiform
Narrow at each tip
Fusiform means spindle-shaped—tapered at both ends with a thicker middle, like the wooden spindle used in hand-spinning thread.
The term appears mainly in scientific contexts describing biological structures: fusiform bacteria, the fusiform gyrus of the brain, fusiform muscles.
Fish often have fusiform bodies, streamlined for moving through water.
Gradually narrowing in width
- elongatedStretched beyond usual dimensions
- spindle-shapedElongated with tapered extremities
- cigar-shapedElongated with rounded ends
- narrowingReduction in width
tapering · symmetrical · prolate · cylindrical · sleek · streamline · axisymmetric · converging
Resembling a thread
- lanceolateNarrow and tapering
- cuneiformStylus-impressed ancient script
- deltoidShoulder's main muscle
- sagittalArrow-shaped or arrow-directional
cordate · sigmoid · stellate · cruciform · pyriform · ovate · acuminate · attenuate
Basic unit of life
- mitosisNuclear division producing identical cells
- spindleRotating rod for thread
- anaphaseChromatid separation stage
- metaphaseChromosomal equator formation stage
chromosome · microtubule · centrosome · division · elongation · nucleus · telophase · cytokinesis
Made smooth and efficient
- hydrodynamicRelating to fluid motion
- laminarArranged in thin layers
- turbulenceChaotic flow patterns
- flowUnbroken forward movement
velocity · slippery · smooth · glide · swift · efficient · propulsion · wake
tapered
Gradually narrowing in width
- elongatedStretched beyond usual dimensions
- spindle-shapedElongated with tapered extremities
- cigar-shapedElongated with rounded ends
narrowing · tapering · symmetrical · prolate · cylindrical · sleek · streamline · axisymmetric · converging · curvilinear
filiform
Resembling a thread
- lanceolateNarrow and tapering
- cuneiformStylus-impressed ancient script
- deltoidShoulder's main muscle
sagittal · cordate · sigmoid · stellate · cruciform · pyriform · ovate · acuminate · attenuate · turbinate
cell
Basic unit of life
- mitosisNuclear division producing identical cells
- spindleRotating rod for thread
- anaphaseChromatid separation stage
metaphase · chromosome · microtubule · centrosome · division · elongation · nucleus · telophase · cytokinesis · bipolar
streamlined
Made smooth and efficient
- hydrodynamicRelating to fluid motion
- laminarArranged in thin layers
- turbulenceChaotic flow patterns
flow · velocity · slippery · smooth · glide · swift · efficient · propulsion · wake · resistance
tuna
Large edible ocean fish
swordfish · wahoo · mako · dolphinfish · bonito · sailfish · kingfish · yellowtail · amberjack · cobia
gyrus
Cerebral cortex ridge
- FFAAgricultural education organization
- cerebralRelating to intellect
- perceptionMental interpretation of stimuli