Cheilostomata

plural noun

Chei·​lo·​sto·​ma·​ta

ˌkīləˈstōmətə

: a large order of marine bryozoans (class Gymnolaemata) having the colony erect or encrusting, the zooecia more or less tubular, and the aperture closed by a chitinous operculum when the polypide is retracted

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, plural of Cheilostoma, from cheilo- cheilo- + -stoma -stoma entry 1

First Known Use

1852, in the meaning defined above

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