physa

noun

phy·​sa

ˈfīsə

1

a

capitalized : a widely distributed genus (the type of the family Physidae) of freshwater air-breathing snails, having a sinistral, ovate, usually rather short-spired shell and slender nonretractile tentacles with the eyes at their bases

b

plural -s : any snail of the genus Physa

2

plural physae

-ˌsē,

-ˌsī

also physas : the lower often retractile part of the body of some anthozoans

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek physa bellows

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!