Meanings
- biologyHaving multiple secondary ribs which branch off successively in front of each primary rib (resulting in a shape like ᚠ), like the ribs of Zaraiskites ammonites.
... polygyrate or bidichotomous to fasciculate (rarely virgatotome) ribs, more loosely spaced and coarser. External whorls of macroconch forms with dichotomous to polygyrate ribs[…]
1977, Acta geologica polonica1 more example
[...] gyrate furcation, and often a tendency to become fasciculate or virgatotome; secondary ribs obsolescent in some [...] polygyrate ribs and intercalatory secondaries. Microconchs 100-112 mm. in diameter with following rib densities[…]
1967, J. C. W. Cope, The Palaeontology and Stratigraphy of the Lower Part of the Upper Kimmeridge Clay of Dorset
Origin
From Latin virgātus + -o- + -tome, from virga.
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
virgatotome. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/virgatotome
“virgatotome.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/virgatotome. Accessed November 4, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “virgatotome,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/virgatotome.
Source: virgatotome on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.