horseshoe crab

noun

1. a large marine arthropod, Limulus polyphemus, of shallow coastal waters of eastern North America and eastern Asia, having both compound and simple eyes, book gills, a stiff tail, and a brown carapace curved like a horseshoe: a living fossil related to the woodlouse.

horseshoe crab

noun

1. any marine chelicerate arthropod of the genus Limulus, of North America and Asia, having a rounded heavily armoured body with a long pointed tail: class Merostomata Also calledking crab

Word History and Origins

Origin of horseshoe crab¹

First recorded in 1765–75

Example Sentences

The fossilized brain is remarkably similar to the brains of modern horseshoe crabs, giving clues to the arthropods’ evolution, Bicknell and colleagues report July 26 in Geology.

From Science News

The horseshoe crab fossil we document in our study sheds new light on how these fragile organs—typically prone to very rapid decay—can be preserved with such fidelity.

From Singularity Hub 

The specimen of the horseshoe crab, Euproops danae, comes from the world-famous Mazon Creek deposit of Illinois, in the US.

From Singularity Hub 

The best moment in the horseshoe crab project was when I delivered the sculpture to CHAW.

From Washington Post

Hopefully the horseshoe crab creates many more smiles and lots of excitement for all ages in its new home on H and 16th streets.

From Washington Post

Perhaps the skate may use them to walk around on the bottom of the ocean, as a horseshoe crab uses his legs for walking.

From Project Gutenberg

But the king- or horseshoe-crab has still no true jaws, but uses the upper joints of its legs for chewing.

From Project Gutenberg

I thought of a horseshoe crab, stranded on its back and kicking helplessly.

From Project Gutenberg

Indian arrow-heads, for any ocean curiosities except a sea-urchin and a horseshoe crab.

From Project Gutenberg

I dug some clams at low water and caught a big horseshoe crab.

From Project Gutenberg