1. Small, hair-like or bristle-like structures that branch off from the barbs of a feather, helping to interlock the feather and maintain its shape and waterproofing.
Usage: ornithology; plural of barbicel

Examples

• The barbicels on a duck's feathers help lock the barbs together, creating a waterproof surface.
• Under a microscope, you can see the intricate network of barbicels that give feathers their strength.
• Birds spend hours preening to align their barbicels and maintain feather integrity.
• The barbicels are essential for flight, as they keep the feather structure compact and aerodynamic.