pelecypod

[puh-les-uh-pod]

noun

1. any mollusk of the class Pelecypoda (Lamellibranchiata), characterized by a bivalve shell enclosing the headless body and lamellate gills, comprising the oysters, clams, mussels, and scallops.

adjective

1. Also pelecypodous belonging or pertaining to the Pelecypoda.

pelecypod

/ pɪˈlɛsɪˌpɒd /

noun

1. another word for bivalve bivalve

Word History and Origins

Origin of pelecypod¹

1855–60; < New Latin Pelecypoda < Greek péleky ( s ) hatchet + New Latin -poda; -pod

Word History and Origins

Origin of pelecypod¹

C19: from Greek pelekus hatchet + _-pod

Example Sentences

Polyzoa were abundant; brachiopods were fairly common, though subordinate to the pelecypods; they were mostly rhynchonellids and terebratulids, which lived side by side with the ancient forms, like Crania and Discina.

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This form, or a modification of it, we find to be characteristic of all pelecypods which are attached to a foreign object of support by the cementation of one valve.

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The oyster may be taken as the type of the form adopted by attached pelecypods.

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Another characteristic of attached pelecypods is camerated structure, which is most frequent and extensive in the thick attached valve.

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