cteno·sto·ma·ta \ˌtenəˈstōməd.ə\noun plural Usage: capitalized Etymology: New Latin, from cten- + -stomata : an order of Bryozoa (class Gymnolaemata) having a circle of processes resembling bristles that close the aperture when the tentacles are retracted • cteno·stom·a·tous\|tenə|stäməd.əs\adjective • cteno·stome\ˈtenəˌstōm\noun-s