brachiopod

[ brey-kee-uh-pod, brak-ee- ]
/ ˈbreɪ ki əˌpɒd, ˈbræk i- /

noun

any mollusklike, marine animal of the phylum Brachiopoda, having a dorsal and ventral shell; a lamp shell.

adjective

Also bra·chi·op·o·dous [brey-kee-op-uh-duh s, brak-ee] /ˌbreɪ kiˈɒp ə dəs, ˌbræk i/. belonging or pertaining to the Brachiopoda.

Origin of brachiopod

From the New Latin word Brachiopoda, dating back to 1830–40. See brachio-, -pod

Example sentences from the Web for brachiopod

British Dictionary definitions for brachiopod

brachiopod
/ (ˈbreɪkɪəˌpɒd, ˈbræk-) /

noun

any marine invertebrate animal of the phylum Brachiopoda, having a ciliated feeding organ (lophophore) and a shell consisting of dorsal and ventral valves Also called: lamp shell See also bryozoan

Word Origin for brachiopod

C19: from New Latin Brachiopoda; see brachium, -pod

Scientific definitions for brachiopod

brachiopod
[ brākē-ə-pŏd′ ]

Any of various marine invertebrate animals of the phylum Brachiopoda that resemble clams. Brachiopods have paired upper and lower shells attached to a usually stationary stalk and hollow tentacles covered with cilia that sweep food particles into the mouth. Brachiopods are probably related to the phoronids and bryozoans, and were extremely abundant throughout the Paleozoic Era.