mollusc

 
Pronunciation: /ˈmɒləsk/
(US mollusk)

noun

  • an invertebrate of a large phylum which includes snails, slugs, mussels, and octopuses. They have a soft unsegmented body and live in aquatic or damp habitats, and most kinds have an external calcareous shell.
    • Phylum Mollusca: several classes, in particular Gastropoda, Bivalvia, and Cephalopoda

Derivatives

molluscan

Pronunciation: /məˈlʌskən/
adjective

Origin:

late 18th century: from modern Latin mollusca, neuter plural of Latin molluscus, from mollis 'soft'

Spelling help

Spell mollusc with -sc at the end (the spelling mollusk is American).