Gryphaea

noun

Gry·​phaea
grə̇ˈfēə,
grīˈ-
1
: a genus of fossil mollusks related to the oyster but having the left valve arched with an incurved beak and the right valve flat
2
in some classifications : crassostrea
gryphaeoid
ˈgrifēˌȯid
adjective

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin gryphus or gryph-, gryps griffin

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Cite this Entry

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

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