o·per·cu·lum ( -pûr ky -lm)n. pl. o·per·cu·la (-l ) or o·per·cu·lums A lid or flap covering an aperture, such as the gill cover in some fishes or the horny shell cover in snails or other mollusks. [Latin, lid, from oper  re, to cover; see wer-4 in Indo-European roots.]o·per cu·lar (-lr) adj.o·per cu·lar·ly adv. |
operculum [əʊˈpɜːkjʊləm]
n pl -la [-lə], -lums
1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Zoology) Zoology
a. the hard bony flap covering the gill slits in fishes
b. the bony plate in certain gastropods covering the opening of the shell when the body is withdrawn
2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Botany) Botany the covering of the spore-bearing capsule of a moss
3. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biology) Biology any other covering or lid in various organisms
[via New Latin from Latin: lid, from operīre to cover]
opercular , operculate [əʊˈpɜːkjʊlɪt -ˌleɪt] adj
| operculum (-pûrky-lm) Plural opercula or operculums A lid or flap covering an opening, such as the gill cover in some fish or the horny flap covering the opening of a snail. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  operculum - a hard flap serving as a cover for (a) the gill slits in fishes or (b) the opening of the shell in certain gastropods when the body is retractedplate - any flat platelike body structure or part |
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