epiphragm

noun

ep·​i·​phragm ˈe-pə-ˌfram 

: a closing membrane or septum (as of a snail shell or a moss capsule)

Examples of epiphragm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In addition to keeping the snails safely secured to surfaces, this temporary adhesive, known as the epiphragm, retains moisture and prevents their bodies from drying out. —Meilan Solly, Smithsonian, 20 June 2019

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin epiphragma, borrowed from Greek epíphragma "lid, cover," from epiphrak-, stem of epiphrássein "to block up" (from epi- epi- + phrássein, Attic phráttein "to fence in, enclose, block," of obscure origin) + -ma, resultative noun suffix

First Known Use

circa 1854, in the meaning defined above