chiton

[ kahyt-n, kahy-ton ]

noun

1. Also called sea cra·dle [see, kreyd-l]. a mollusk of the class Amphineura, having a mantle covered with calcareous plates, found adhering to rocks.
2. a gown or tunic, with or without sleeves, worn in ancient Greece.

chiton

/ ˈkaɪtən; -tɒn /

noun

1. (in ancient Greece and Rome) a loose woollen tunic worn knee length by men and full length by women
2. Also calledcoat-of-mail shell any small primitive marine mollusc of the genus Chiton and related genera, having an elongated body covered with eight overlapping shell plates: class Amphineura

Word History and Origins

Origin of chiton¹

First recorded in 1810–20; from Greek chitṓn “tunic,” from Semitic (compare Hebrew kuttōneth “tunic”); ultimately from Sumerian

Word History and Origins

Origin of chiton¹

C19: from Greek khitōn coat of mail, of Semitic origin; related to Hebrew kethōnet

Example Sentences

Despite chitons' relation to squid, snails and scallops, their eyes aren't located on their soft bodies.

From Science Daily

On the throne now sat Notus—a bronze-skinned old man in a fiery Greek chiton, his head crowned with a wreath of withered, smoking barley.

From Literature

But the chiton’s unassuming body hides an array of tiny but formidable teeth.

From New York Times

“We tried everything. Drink, drugs, prayer, even small doses of poison. On the night of our first attempt, we simply overdrank and passed out in our chitons in the woods near Francis’s house.”

From Literature

In a series of lab experiments, Dr. Sigwart showed that rolling into balls has more to do with helping chitons get to places where they can reattach after losing their footing.

From New York Times

Related Words

• blouse
• coat
• jacket
• robe