1. The hard, glassy cell walls or shells of diatoms, composed of silica.
Usage: plural of frustule; biology/botany term; commonly used in microscopy and marine biology

Examples

• Under the microscope, the frustules of diatoms displayed intricate geometric patterns.
• Marine biologists collected water samples to study the frustules of various diatom species.
• The frustules are composed primarily of silicon dioxide, making them extremely durable.
• Fossilized frustules have been found in diatomaceous earth deposits worldwide.
• The unique structure of frustules helps scientists identify different diatom species.