spirula

[ spir-yuh-luh, -oo-luh ]

noun

, plural spir·u·lae [spir, -y, uh, -lee, -, oo, -lee].

1. any cephalopod of the genus Spirula, having a flat, spiral shell that is partly inside and partly outside the posterior part of the body.

spirula

/ ˈspaɪrʊlə /

noun

1. a tropical cephalopod mollusc, Spirula peronii, having prominent eyes, short arms, and a small flattened spirally coiled internal shell: order Decapoda (cuttlefish and squids)

Word History and Origins

Origin of spirula¹

First recorded in 1825–35; from New Latin, from Late Latin spīrula “twisted cake.” See spiro- ²( def ), -ule

Word History and Origins

Origin of spirula¹

C19: via New Latin from Late Latin: a small twisted cake, from Latin spīra a coil

Example Sentences

Among the tufts of grass on the sloping sides of this mound were great numbers of Spirula-shells in a tolerably perfect condition.

From Project Gutenberg

In places in New Zealand, and elsewhere, large fossil deposits of Spirula peroni occur.

From Project Gutenberg

After a gale, on looking amongst the wrack cast up by the highest waves, large numbers of our Spirula will be found.

From Project Gutenberg

The latter is partly straight and partly convoluted, nearly as in Spirula.

From Project Gutenberg

A series of Chambers joining each other, as in Nautilus, Spirula, &c.

From Project Gutenberg