Dibranchia

plural noun

Di·​bran·​chia
dīˈbraŋkēə
: a subclass or order of Cephalopoda including the squids and octopuses, being characterized by 2 gills, 2 auricles, 2 nephridia, an apparatus for emitting an inky fluid, and either 8 or 10 cephalic arms bearing suckers or hooks, and comprising all living cephalopods except those of the genus Nautilus
dibranchiate
(ˈ)⸗¦⸗kēə̇t
-ēˌāt
adjective or noun

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from di- + Greek branchia gills

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Cite this Entry

“Dibranchia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Dibranchia. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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