rhizocephalous

[ rahy-zoh-sef-uh-luhs ]

adjective

, Zoology.

1. belonging to the Rhizocephala, a group of degenerate hermaphrodite crustaceans that are parasitic chiefly on crabs.

Other Words From

• rhizo·cepha·lan noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of rhizocephalous¹

First recorded in 1890–95; rhizo- + -cephalous