Teredinidae

plural noun

Ter·​e·​din·​i·​dae
ˌterəˈdinəˌdē
: a family of marine bivalve mollusks (order Eulamellibranchia) that live in burrows (as in wood or clay) which they rasp out with their small trilobed shells and line with a calcareous secretion, are very destructive to marine wooden constructions (as ships and wharves), and are vermiform with very long siphons united through most of their length see bankia , shipworm, teredo compare pholas

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Teredin-, Teredo, type genus + -idae

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Cite this Entry

“Teredinidae.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Teredinidae. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.

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