brachiopod

[ brey-kee-uh-pod, brak-ee- ]

noun

1. any mollusklike, marine animal of the phylum Brachiopoda, having a dorsal and ventral shell; a lamp shell.

adjective

1. Also bra·chi·op·o·dous [] belonging or pertaining to the Brachiopoda.

brachiopod

/ ˈbreɪkɪəˌpɒd; ˈbræk- /

noun

1. any marine invertebrate animal of the phylum Brachiopoda , having a ciliated feeding organ (lophophore) and a shell consisting of dorsal and ventral valves Also calledlamp shell See also bryozoan

brachiopod

/ brā′kē-ə-pŏd′ /

1. Any of various marine invertebrate animals of the phylum Brachiopoda that resemble clams. Brachiopods have paired upper and lower shells attached to a usually stationary stalk and hollow tentacles covered with cilia that sweep food particles into the mouth. Brachiopods are probably related to the phoronids and bryozoans, and were extremely abundant throughout the Paleozoic Era.

Word History and Origins

Origin of brachiopod¹

From the New Latin word Brachiopoda, dating back to 1830–40. See brachio-, -pod

Word History and Origins

Origin of brachiopod¹

C19: from New Latin Brachiopoda ; see brachium , -pod

Example Sentences

The pattern of cells in the nervous system suggested the animals belong to a vast group called the lophotrochozoans, which includes mollusks, corallike animals called bryozoans, brachiopods, and flatworms.

From Science Magazine

But as the seas grew crowded and bony fishes appeared, phosphate supplies dwindled, and brachiopods could no longer freely scavenge what they needed to construct their expensive housing.

From New York Times

“It would be very difficult to convince someone of that if it’s a brachiopod, but T. rex takes it to another level.”

From New York Times

Dr. Jurikova and her team discovered spikes of the element boron — a proxy for acidity levels — in fossil brachiopod shells found in rocks in Italy that stretch across the extinction boundary.

From New York Times

Ancient sea creatures - including corals, brachiopods and crinoids - deposited their shells in the sea.

From Washington Times