rhizocephalous

[ rahy-zoh-sef-uh-luhs ]

adjective

, Zoology.

1. belonging to the Rhizocephala, a group of degenerate hermaphrodite crustaceans that are parasitic chiefly on crabs.

Other Words From

• rhizo·cepha·lan noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of rhizocephalous¹

First recorded in 1890–95; rhizo- + -cephalous

Example Sentences

The rhizocephalous crustaceans are allied to the cirripedes.

From Project Gutenberg

"The rhizocephalous crustaceans do not feed like other animals by their mouths, for they are destitute of an alimentary canal, but they live by absorbing through root-like processes the juices of the animals on which they are parasitic."

From Project Gutenberg