Meaning & Definition of word "Crustacean"

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.