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glochidia

 - 3 dictionary results

glo⋅chid⋅i⋅um

  [gloh-kid-ee-uhm]
Use glochidia in a Sentence
–noun, plural -chid⋅i⋅a  [-kid-ee-uh] .
1. glochid.
2. the larva of a freshwater mussel of the family Unionidae that lives as a temporary parasite in the gills or on other external parts of fishes.
Origin:
1895–1900; < NL < Gk glōch(ís) point of an arrow + -idion dim. suffix

Related forms:
glo⋅chid⋅i⋅al, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To glochidia
glo·chid   (glō'kĭd)   
n.   pl. glo·chids also glo·chid·i·a (-kĭd'ē-ə)
One of the minute barbed hairs or bristles on certain plants, such as the prickly pear.
glo·chid·i·um   (glō-kĭd'ē-əm)   
n.   pl. glo·chid·i·a (-ē-ə)

  1. Zoology The parasitic larva of certain freshwater mussels of the family Unionidae, having hooks for attaching to the gills or other external parts of a host fish.

  2. Botany Variant of glochid.


[New Latin glōchidium : Greek glōkhīs, barb of an arrow + Latin -idium, diminutive suff. (from Greek -idion).]
glo·chid'i·ate (-ĭt, -āt') adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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