glochidium

American  

[gloh-kid-ee-uhm] / gloʊˈkɪd i əm /

noun

plural

glochidia

1. glochid.

2. 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.

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glochidium British  

/ ɡləʊˈkɪdɪəm /

noun

1. a barbed hair, esp among the spore masses of water ferns and on certain other plants

2. a parasitic larva of certain freshwater mussels that attaches itself to the fins or gills of fish by hooks or suckers

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Other Word Forms

• glochidial
  adjective
• glochidiate
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of glochidium

1895–1900; < New Latin < Greek glōch ( ís ) point of an arrow + -idion diminutive suffix