radula

[ raj-oo-luh ]

noun

, plural rad·u·lae [raj, -, oo, -lee].

1. a chitinous band in the mouth of most mollusks, set with numerous, minute, horny teeth and drawn backward and forward over the floor of the mouth in the process of breaking up food.

radula

/ ˈrædjʊlə /

noun

1. a horny tooth-bearing strip on the tongue of molluscs that is used for rasping food

Derived Forms

• ˈradular, adjective

Other Words From

• radu·lar adjective
• sub·radu·lar adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of radula¹

1745–55; < New Latin rādula, Latin: scraper, equivalent to rād ( ere ) to scrape, rub + -ula -ule

Word History and Origins

Origin of radula¹

C19: from Late Latin: a scraping iron, from Latin rādere to scrape

Example Sentences

Radula, rad′ū-la, n. the tongue or lingual ribbon of a mollusc.

From Project Gutenberg

Most numerous was Gigartina radula, just in a state of fructification.

From Project Gutenberg

I did my Biology at University College,—getting out the ovary of the earthworm and the radula of the snail, and all that.

From Project Gutenberg

Teeth of radula beam-like, and at most three marginal teeth on each side.

From Project Gutenberg

Hermaphrodite; head with appendage on right side; radula without central tooth.

From Project Gutenberg