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

These deposits are highly fossiliferous in parts, and contain the remains of pteropods, lamellibranchs and echinoderms, embedded in a foraminiferous deposit mixed with volcanic debris, like the deep-sea muds brought up by 134 the “Challenger.”

From Project Gutenberg

Devonian rocks have been detected among the crumpled rocks of the Styrian Alps by means of the evidence of abundant corals, cephalopods, gasteropods, lamellibranchs and other organic remains.

From Project Gutenberg