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Stäbchen

rod (photoreceptor cell for dim-light vision)

noun SHTAEP-khen Rare

Also means

chopstick; small stick

Usage Note

Stäbchen in sensory biology are the rod photoreceptors sensitive to low light, enabling night vision. Contrasted with Zapfen (cones) for colour vision; the word also means chopsticks in a dining context, requiring careful disambiguation.

Examples

"Die Stäbchen der Netzhaut ermöglichen das Sehen bei Dämmerung."

Natural Translation

The rod cells of the retina enable vision at dusk.

Literal Translation

The rods of the retina enable the seeing at dusk.

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