Zool. [irreg. (for *toxospire) f. Gr. τόξο-ν bow + σπεῖρα coil, SPIRE.] In sponges, a form of microsclere or flesh-spicule: see quots. Hence Toxaspiral a., pertaining to or of the form of a toxaspire.
1887. Sollas, in Encycl. Brit., XXII. 417/2. A turn and a part of a turn of a spiral of somewhat higher pitch than that of a sigmaspire gives the toxaspire. Ibid. (1888), in Challenger Rep., XXV. p. lxii. Toxaspire.—A spiral rod in which the twist a little exceeds a single revolution. The pitch of the spiral is usually great and the spicule consequently appears bow-shaped when viewed laterally.
