glochidium
[ gloh-kid-ee-uh m ]
/ gloʊˈkɪd i əm /
noun, plural glo·chid·i·a [gloh-kid-ee-uh] /gloʊˈkɪd i ə/.
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.
Origin of glochidium
1895–1900; < New Latin < Greek
glōch(ís) point of an arrow +
-idion diminutive suffix
OTHER WORDS FROM glochidium
glo·chid·i·al, adjectiveWords nearby glochidium
globus,
globus hystericus,
globus pallidus,
glocal,
glochid,
glochidium,
glock,
glockenspiel,
glogg,
glom,
glomal
British Dictionary definitions for glochidium
glochidium
/ (ɡləʊˈkɪdɪəm) /
noun plural -chidia (-ˈkɪdɪə)
a barbed hair, esp among the spore masses of water ferns and on certain other plants
a parasitic larva of certain freshwater mussels that attaches itself to the fins or gills of fish by hooks or suckers
Derived forms of glochidium
glochidiate, adjectiveWord Origin for glochidium
C19: from New Latin, from Greek
glōkhis projecting point