Main Entry: lob·ster

Pronunciation: \ˈläb-stər\

Function: noun

Usage: often attributive

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English loppestre, from loppe spider

Date: before 12th century

1 : any of a family (Nephropidae and especially Homarus americanus) of large edible marine decapod crustaceans that have stalked eyes, a pair of large claws, and a long abdomen and that include species from coasts on both sides of the North Atlantic and from the Cape of Good Hope
2 : spiny lobster

— lob·ster·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

[lobster illustration]