crustacean

[kruh-stey-shuhn]

noun

1. any chiefly aquatic arthropod of the class Crustacea, typically having the body covered with a hard shell or crust, including the lobsters, shrimps, crabs, barnacles, and wood lice.

adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the crustaceans.

crustacean

/ krʌˈsteɪʃən /

noun

1. any arthropod of the mainly aquatic class Crustacea, typically having a carapace hardened with lime and including the lobsters, crabs, shrimps, woodlice, barnacles, copepods, and water fleas

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Crustacea

crustacean

1. Any of various widespread arthropods of the class Crustacea that live mostly in water and have a hard shell, a segmented body, and jointed appendages. Crustaceans include crabs, lobsters, shrimp, barnacles, and copepods.

crustacean

1. A class of arthropods with shells.

Crabs, lobsters, shrimp, and crayfish are crustaceans.

Word History and Origins

Origin of crustacean¹

1825–35; < New Latin Crustace ( a ) (neuter plural) hard-shelled ones ( crust, -acea ) + -an

Word History and Origins

Origin of crustacean¹

C19: from New Latin crūstāceus hard-shelled, from Latin crūsta shell, _crust

Example Sentences

Thanks to his boss’ overreach, now he’s crustacean food.

Read more on Salon

But scientists and hatchery experts are now questioning whether these beautiful electric blue crustaceans are truly as rare as once was believed.

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But he told the BBC when the express service reached its final stop "sure enough" he found the crustacean "chilling" on a seat.

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While on holiday she was fascinated by their foraging behaviour as they moved gracefully through the shallow, saline wetlands, filter-feeding for molluscs and crustaceans.

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These two parasite species have historically infected people in Southeast Asia who eat raw fish, crustaceans or vegetables that carry the parasite larvae.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• shellfish