cir·ri·ped  (sîr'ə-pěd')  n. Any of various crustaceans of the subclass Cirripedia, which includes the barnacles and related organisms that attach themselves to objects or become parasitic in the adult stage. [From New Latin Cirripedia, order name : cirr(us) + -ped.] cir'ri·ped' adj. |
| cirripede (sîr'ə-pēd') also cirriped (sîr'ə-pēd') Pronunciation Key
Any of various small marine crustaceans of the subclass Cirripedia, which includes the barnacles. Some cirripedes become internal parasites of other marine invertebrates in the adult stage, while others (the barnacles) attach themselves to objects and grow a hard shell. Cirripedes are related to copepods. |
cirripede
any of the marine crustaceans of the subclass Cirripedia (class Maxillopoda). The best known are the barnacles. Adults of cirripedes other than barnacles are internal parasites of marine invertebrates such as crabs, jellyfish, and starfish and have no popular name.
Learn more about cirripede with a free trial on Britannica.com.