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zoea

[zoh-ee-uh]
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noun, plural zo·e·ae [zoh-ee-ee] /zoʊˈi i/, zo·e·as. Zoology.
  1. any of the free-swimming larva of certain crustaceans, as the crab, having rudimentary legs and a spiny carapace.

Origin of zoea

1820–30; < New Latin, equivalent to Greek zō(ḗ) life + New Latin -ea -ea
Related formszo·e·al, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for zoeae

Historical Examples

  • This is well seen in the nauplius of many Cirripedia (fig. 15) and in nearly all zoeae.

    Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 7

    Various

British Dictionary definitions for zoeae

zoea

zoaea

noun plural zoeae or zoaeae (zəʊˈiːiː) or zoeas or zoaeas
  1. the free-swimming larva of a crab or related crustacean, which has well-developed abdominal appendages and may bear one or more spines

Word Origin

C20: New Latin, from Greek zōē life
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012