Meaning & Definition of word "Crustacean"
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Crustacean
/krʌˈsteɪʃən/
noun:
- 1. A member of the class Crustacea, which includes animals such as crabs, lobsters, shrimp, and barnacles, typically characterized by a hard outer shell and segmented body.
- Example: The lobster is a popular crustacean known for its delicious meat.
- 2. Any aquatic arthropod that has a chitinous exoskeleton and limbs, often found in marine and freshwater environments.
- Example: Crustaceans are an important part of the aquatic food web, serving as both prey and predators.
- 3. A type of invertebrate animal that is part of the marine ecosystem.
- Example: During my trip to the beach, I observed various crustaceans scuttling across the sand.
- 4. An aquatic animal with a segmented body and jointed appendages, often exhibiting various adaptations for life in water.
- Example: The unique adaptations of crustaceans enable them to thrive in diverse aquatic habitats.
Etymology
From Latin 'crustaceus' meaning 'having a hard shell'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
crustacean cuisine:
Dishes made from crustaceans, particularly seafood.
crustacean habitat:
The natural environment where crustaceans live.
crustacean classification:
The scientific categorization of crustaceans within the animal kingdom.
Related Words
arthropod:
A phylum of invertebrate animals characterized by an exoskeleton, segmented body, and jointed appendages.
decapod:
A group of crustaceans that have ten limbs, including crabs and shrimp.
barnacle:
A type of crustacean that attaches itself to various surfaces in marine environments.
Slang Meanings of crustacean
Meaning: A colloquial term for someone who eats a lot of seafood.
Example Sentence: He's such a crustacean; he could eat shrimp every day!
Meaning: Referring to someone who is hard-shelled or tough in personality.
Example Sentence: She can be a real crustacean when it comes to dealing with criticism.