chiton

American  

[kahyt-n, kahy-ton] / ˈkaɪt n, ˈkaɪ tɒn /

noun

1. Also called sea cradle.  a mollusk of the class Amphineura, having a mantle covered with calcareous plates, found adhering to rocks.

2. a gown or tunic, with or without sleeves, worn in ancient Greece.

---

chiton British  

/ ˈkaɪtən, -tɒn /

noun

1. (in ancient Greece and Rome) a loose woollen tunic worn knee length by men and full length by women

2. Also called: coat-of-mail shell.  any small primitive marine mollusc of the genus Chiton and related genera, having an elongated body covered with eight overlapping shell plates: class Amphineura

---

Etymology

Origin of chiton

First recorded in 1810–20; from Greek chitṓn “tunic,” from Semitic (compare Hebrew kuttōneth “tunic”); ultimately from Sumerian

Example Sentences

The most numerous of these organs are called aesthetes, small sensory structures found in the outermost layer of the shells of all chitons.

From Science Daily

On the throne now sat Notus—a bronze-skinned old man in a fiery Greek chiton, his head crowned with a wreath of withered, smoking barley.

From Literature

But the chiton’s unassuming body hides an array of tiny but formidable teeth.

From New York Times

In a series of lab experiments, Dr. Sigwart showed that rolling into balls has more to do with helping chitons get to places where they can reattach after losing their footing.

From New York Times

The modernizing helps: Fops and poseurs and senators and generals are more easily recognizable in pinstripe suits than Greek chitons.

From New York Times

Related Words

• blouse
• coat
• jacket
• robe