lamellibranch

[ luh-mel-uh-brangk ]

noun

1. bivalve.

lamellibranch

/ ləˈmɛlɪˌbræŋk /

noun

1. another word for bivalve bivalve

lamellibranch

/ lə-mĕl′ə-brănk′ /

1. Any of the bivalve mollusks of the subclass Lamellibranchia, the largest group of bivalves. Lamellibranchs have gills that consist of long, folded filaments with cilia at the end that draw in water for respiration and also filter food particles. Lamellibranchs include clams, scallops, and oysters.
2. In former classifications, any bivalve mollusk.

Derived Forms

• laˌmelliˈbranchiate, adjectivenoun

Word History and Origins

Origin of lamellibranch¹

1850–55; < New Latin Lamellibranchia group name. See lamelli-, -branch ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of lamellibranch¹

C19: from New Latin lamellibranchia plate-gilled (animals); see lamella , branchia

Example Sentences

The reader has probably observed that the valves of a dead lamellibranch usually gape.

From Project Gutenberg

In the genus Nucula (fig. 10) we have an example of a Lamellibranch retaining this plume-like form of gill.

From Project Gutenberg

In other respects the anatomy of the cockle presents no important differences from that of a typical Lamellibranch.

From Project Gutenberg