rhizocephalan

/ ˌraɪzəʊˈsɛfələn /

noun

1. any parasitic crustacean of the order Rhizocephala , esp Sacculina carcini , which has a saclike body and sends out absorptive processes into the body of its host, the crab: subclass Cirripedia (barnacles)

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the order Rhizocephala

Word History and Origins

Origin of rhizocephalan¹

C19: from New Latin Rhizocephala (literally: root-headed), from rhizo- + -cephala from Greek kephalē head