Cambarus

noun

Cam·​ba·​rus
ˈkambərəs
: a genus of crayfishes (family Astacidae) lacking pleurobranchiae, having a specialized sperm receptacle, and including the common large crayfishes of eastern North America some of which (especially C. limosus) are used as food

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, alteration (influenced by Late Latin gambarus, alteration of Latin cammarus) of Latin cammarus sea crab, lobster, from Greek kammaros; akin to Old Norse humarr lobster, Sanskrit kamaṭha tortoise, and probably to Latin camur curved

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Cite this Entry

“Cambarus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Cambarus. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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