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operculum

Syllabification: (o·per·cu·lum)
Pronunciation: /ōˈpərkyələm/
Definition of operculum

noun (plural opercula /-lə/)

Zoology & Botany
  • a structure that closes or covers an aperture, in particular.
  • technical term for gill cover.
  • a secreted plate that serves to close the aperture of a gastropod mollusk’s shell when the animal is retracted.
  • a lidlike structure of the spore-containing capsule of a moss.

Derivatives

opercular

Pronunciation: /-lər/
adjective

operculate

Pronunciation: /-ˌlāt/
adjective

operculi-

combining form

Origin:

early 18th century: from Latin, literally 'lid, covering', from operire 'to cover'

operculum in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of operculum in the British & World English dictionary

Nearby words

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