nudibranch

noun

nu·​di·​branch ˈnü-də-ˌbraŋk 

ˈnyü-

plural nudibranchs

: any of an order (Nudibranchia) of marine opisthobranch mollusks without a shell in the adult state and without true gills

nudibranch adjective

Illustration of nudibranch

Examples of nudibranch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Or hop aboard a day dive charter to see the wonders of Anacapa, where Spanish shawl nudibranch and California sheephead move through towering kelp forests. —Alexandra Gillespie, Outside Online, 16 Dec. 2024

Though nudibranchs live in oceans all over the world, researchers say B. caudactylus is the first known to live in the deep water column. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024

First, its closest relatives by appearance — soft-bodied marine gastropods called nudibranchs — generally live in much shallower water. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 12 Nov. 2024

Monterey is famous for its kelp forests and the unique marine life that thrives in that ecosystem, like sea otters, spider crabs, nudibranchs, massive sea stars, and sea lions. —Outside Online, 24 July 2024

But nudibranchs are adapted to withstand this type of attack. —Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 June 2024

The sad coda to the story was reading about his death in World War I. —Mike Van Roo | Diamond Bar, California Amazing Mollusks What a wonderful story about the colorful and interesting nudibranchs! —Smithsonian Magazine, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 May 2024

As the nudibranch tries to grasp its prey, the prey fires its tiny harpoons at the nudibranch. —Helen Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2024

Clown nudibranchs have flat orange patches on the sides of their translucent white or yellowish-white bodies. —Amiah Taylor, Discover Magazine, 10 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Nudibranchia, from Latin nudus + Greek branchia gills

First Known Use

1844, in the meaning defined above