opisthobranch

[ uh-pis-thuh-brangk ]
/ əˈpɪs θəˌbræŋk /

noun

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

of or relating to the opisthobranches.
Also o·pis·tho·bran·chi·ate [uh-pis-thuh-brang-kee-it, -eyt] /əˌpɪs θəˈbræŋ ki ɪt, -ˌeɪt/.

Origin of opisthobranch

1850–55; < New Latin Opisthobranchia the subclass; see opistho-, branchia

Example sentences from the Web for opisthobranch

British Dictionary definitions for opisthobranch

opisthobranch
/ (əˈpɪsθəˌbræŋk) /

noun

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

Word Origin for opisthobranch

via New Latin from Greek opisthen behind + -branch