Malacostraca

plural noun

Mal·​a·​cos·​tra·​ca
ˌmaləˈkästrəkə
: a major subclass of Crustacea including most of the well-known marine, freshwater, and terrestrial members of the group (as lobsters, crabs, shrimps, sow bugs, beach fleas)
malacostracan adjective or noun
malacostracous
-kəs
adjective

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek malakostraka, neuter plural of malakostrakos soft-shelled, from malak- malac- + -ostrakos (from ostrakon shell)

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Malacostraca was in 1819

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near Malacostraca

Cite this Entry

“Malacostraca.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Malacostraca. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!