Toxoglossa

plural noun

Tox·​o·​glos·​sa
ˌtäksəˈgläsə
: a group of marine carnivorous gastropods (suborder Stenoglossa) including the families Conidae and Terebridae and having the teeth of the radula reduced in number, large, and often perforated to serve as poison fangs with which a large poison gland in the esophagus communicates by slender ducts
toxoglossate
¦⸗⸗¦gläˌsāt
adjective or noun

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from tox- entry 2 + -glossa; from the usually strongly barbed and arrowlike radula

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!

Dictionary Entries Near Toxoglossa

Cite this Entry

“Toxoglossa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Toxoglossa. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!