Thalassinidea

plural noun

Tha·​las·​si·​nid·​ea
thəˌlasəˈnidēə
: a subtribe of Anomura including small crustaceans with a thin flexible carapace, long soft abdomen, and unsymmetrical chelae that burrow in sand or mud along seashores compare ghost shrimp
thalassinidean
⸗¦⸗⸗¦nidēən
noun or adjective
thalassinoid
thəˈlasəˌnȯid
adjective

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Thalassina, genus of crustaceans (from thalass- + -ina) + -idea

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Cite this Entry

“Thalassinidea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Thalassinidea. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

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