Talk:gypsobelum

Gypsobelum, noun - This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.

Gypsobelum refers to “love darts” of snails. A love dart (also known as a gypsobelum) is a sharp, calcareous or chitinous dart which some hermaphroditic land snails and slugs create. What all the shapes of love darts have in common is their harpoon-like or needle-like ability to pierce.

The word comes from two Greek words.

Gypso -

Gypsum is a soft white or grey mineral consisting of hydrated calcium sulphate. It occurs chiefly in sedimentary deposits and is used to make plaster of Paris and fertilizers, and in the building industry.

The word comes from Greek gupsos (γύψος) meaning plaster.

Belum -

From Ancient Greek βελόνη (belónē, “needle”) meaning needle.