Spiracle
/ˈspaɪrəkəl/noun
A small opening used for breathing, especially an aperture in the body of an insect or certain aquatic animals.
Did you know?In classical Latin, the root behind spiracle was tied to spirare, “to breathe,” which also helped inspire the later religious idea of spirit as breath or vital force.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*speis-
“To blow or breathe”
Classical Latin
Latin
spirare
“To breathe, blow, or exhale”
Classical Latin
Latin
spiraculum
“An opening for breathing; a breathing passage”
Late Latin
Latin
spiraculum
“A breathing hole or vent”
14th Century
Middle English
spiracle
“An opening or passage for air”
Modern English
English
spiracle
“A small respiratory opening, especially in insects and some aquatic animals”