glochidium
[ gloh-kid-ee-uhm ]
noun,plural glo·chid·i·a [gloh-kid-ee-uh]. /gloʊˈkɪd i ə/.
the larva of a freshwater mussel of the family Unionidae that lives as a temporary parasite in the gills or on other external parts of fishes.
Origin of glochidium
11895–1900; <New Latin <Greek glōch(ís) point of an arrow + -idion diminutive suffix
Other words from glochidium
- glo·chid·i·al, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
British Dictionary definitions for glochidium
glochidium
/ (ɡləʊˈkɪdɪəm) /
nounplural -chidia (-ˈkɪdɪə)
a barbed hair, esp among the spore masses of water ferns and on certain other plants
a parasitic larva of certain freshwater mussels that attaches itself to the fins or gills of fish by hooks or suckers
Origin of glochidium
1C19: from New Latin, from Greek glōkhis projecting point
Derived forms of glochidium
- glochidiate, adjective
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
Browse