'Mytilus' definitions:

Definition of 'Mytilus'

noun

Type genus of the family Mytilidae: smooth-shelled marine mussels [syn: Mytilus, genus Mytilus]

From: GCIDE

Mytilus \Myt"i*lus\, n. [L., a sea mussel, Gr. ?.] (Zool.) A genus of marine bivalve shells, including the common mussel. See Illust. under Byssus. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Byssus \Bys"sus\, n.; pl. E. Byssuses; L. Byssi.[L. byssus fine flax, fine linen or cotton, Gr. by`ssos .] [1913 Webster]
1. A cloth of exceedingly fine texture, used by the ancients. It is disputed whether it was of cotton, linen, or silk. [Written also byss and byssin.] [1913 Webster]
2. (Zool.) A tuft of long, tough filaments which are formed in a groove of the foot, and issue from between the valves of certain bivalve mollusks, as the Pinna and Mytilus, by which they attach themselves to rocks, etc. [1913 Webster]
3. (Bot.) An obsolete name for certain fungi composed of slender threads. [1913 Webster]
4. Asbestus. [1913 Webster]