barnacle
bar·na·cle
noun \ˈbär-ni-kəl\Definition of BARNACLE
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[from a popular belief that the goose grew from the crustacean] : any of numerous marine crustaceans (subclass Cirripedia) with feathery appendages for gathering food that are free-swimming as larvae but permanently fixed (as to rocks, boat hulls, or whales) as adults
— bar·na·cled \-kəld\ adjective
See Illustration of BARNACLE
Origin of BARNACLE
Middle English barnakille, alteration of bernake, bernekke
First Known Use: 15th century
Other Invertebrates (Except Insects) Terms
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