opisthobranch

[ uh-pis-thuh-brangk ]

noun
  1. any gastropod mollusk of the order Opisthobranchia, as the sea slugs, sea butterflies, and sea hares, characterized by a vestigial or absent mantle and shell and two pairs of tentacles.

adjective
  1. of or relating to the opisthobranches.

Origin of opisthobranch

1
1850–55; <New Latin Opisthobranchia the subclass; see opistho-, branchia
  • Also o·pis·tho·bran·chi·ate [uh-pis-thuh-brang-kee-it, -eyt]. /əˌpɪs θəˈbræŋ ki ɪt, -ˌeɪt/.

Words Nearby opisthobranch

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British Dictionary definitions for opisthobranch

opisthobranch

/ (əˈpɪsθəˌbræŋk) /


noun
  1. any marine gastropod of the class Opisthobranchia (or Opisthobranchiata), in which the shell is reduced or absent: includes the pteropods, sea hares, and nudibranchs

Origin of opisthobranch

1
via New Latin from Greek opisthen behind + -branch

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