polyclad

American

[pol-ee-klad] / ˈpɒl iˌklæd /

noun

any free-swimming, marine flatworm of the order Polycladida, having a broad, flat body and a many-branched gastrovascular cavity.

Etymology

Origin of polyclad

1885–90; < New Latin Polycladus genus name < Greek polýklados many-branched. See poly-, clado-

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This destruction is part of the reason she chose to focus on polyclad flatworms, which are dependent on specialized habitats such as coral reefs and can easily absorb pollutants through their body walls.

From New York Times • Mar. 8, 2022

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023