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 [oh-perk-yew-lum, -la]
Noun
pl -la -lums a covering flap or lidlike structure in animals or plants [Latin: lid]
| 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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