ophiuroid

[ of-ee-yoor-oid, oh-fee- ]

noun

1. any echinoderm of the subclass Ophiuroidea, including brittle stars, basket stars, and others, characterized by elongate arms radiating from the disk.

adjective

1. of or relating to the subclass Ophiuroidea.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ophiuroid¹

1885–90; < New Latin Ophiuroidea the class, equivalent to Ophiur ( a ) the type genus (< Greek ophíoura, feminine of ophíouros serpent-tailed ( ophí ( s ) snake + -ouros adj. derivative of ourá tail)) + -oidea -oidea

Example Sentences

The presence of lateral arms is however a distinctive characteristic of the Ophiuroid Pluteus.

From Project Gutenberg

The formation of the permanent Ophiuroid takes place in much the same way as in the Asteroidea.

From Project Gutenberg