pseudobranch

noun

pseu·​do·​branch

ˈsüdōˌbraŋk

variants or pseudobranchia

ˌ⸗⸗ˈbraŋkēə

or pseudobranchium

-ēəm

plural pseudobranchs

-ks

or pseudobranchiae

-kēˌē

or pseudobranchia

-kēə

: an accessory or spurious gill (as on the inner surface of the operculum in various fishes) that is usually small and is sometimes completely hidden beneath the epithelium

pseudobranchial

¦⸗⸗¦braŋkēəl

adjective

or pseudobranchiate

-ēə̇t,

-ēˌāt

Word History

Etymology

pseudobranch from New Latin pseudobranchia; pseudobranchia from New Latin, from pseud- + -branchia; pseudobranchium from New Latin, from pseudobranchia

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!