sb. (a.) Zool. Also in L. form tylotus. [ad. Gr. τυλωτός knobbed, vbl. adj. f. τυλοῦν to make knobby, f. τύλος knob.] A sponge-spicule of the form of a cylindrical rod with a knob at each end; also attrib. or adj. Hence Tylotate a. [-ATE2.], shaped like a tylote, knobbed; ǁ Tylotoxea [OXEA], a spicule resembling a tylote but pointed at one end (whence Tylotoxeate a., shaped like a tylotoxea).
1887. Sollas, in Encycl. Brit., XXII. 416/2 (Sponges). The spicular rays often become cylindrical;… they are … frequently rounded off (strongylate), or thickened into knobs (*tylotate), or branched (cladose). Ibid., 417/2. The distal ends … becoming slightly tylotate. Ibid., 417/1. The rhabdus … if knobbed at both ends [is known] as a *tylote. Ibid. (1888), in Challenger Rep., XXV. p. lviii. Tylostyle. A style which is tylote at the origin. Ibid. (1887), in Encycl. Brit., XXII. 417/1. The tylote if pointed at one end is a *tylotoxea.
1891. Cent. Dict. (citing Sollas), *Tylotoxeate.
1886. R. von Lendenfeld, in Proc. Zool. Soc., 21 Dec., 561. *Tylotus. A cylindrical rod with a knob at each end.
