aplacophora
|a-pla-co-pho-ra|
🇺🇸
/əˌplækəˈfɔɹə/
🇬🇧
/əˌplækəˈfɔːrə/
not plate-bearing (shell-less)
Etymology
'aplacophora' originates from Greek, specifically from the elements 'a-' meaning 'not', 'plax' meaning 'plate' and 'phoros' meaning 'bearing'.
'aplacophora' was coined in New Latin from Greek roots for use in scientific taxonomy and was adopted into modern scientific English as 'aplacophora'.
Initially the components described the literal sense 'not plate-bearing' (i.e., lacking plated shells); over time this compound became the formal taxonomic name for the class of shell-less mollusks.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a taxonomic class of small, worm-like, marine mollusks that lack shells or plate-like shells; includes groups such as solenogasters and caudofoveates.
Aplacophora are small, worm-like mollusks that lack external shells and are often found in deep-sea habitats.
Last updated: 2025/09/18 09:00