Thalassinidea

plural noun

Tha·​las·​si·​nid·​ea
thəˌlasəˈnidēə
: a subtribe of Anomura including small crustaceans with a thin flexible carapace, long soft abdomen, and unsymmetrical chelae that burrow in sand or mud along seashores compare ghost shrimp
thalassinidean
⸗¦⸗⸗¦nidēən
noun or adjective
thalassinoid
thəˈlasəˌnȯid
adjective

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Thalassina, genus of crustaceans (from thalass- + -ina) + -idea

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 Thalassinidea

Cite this Entry

“Thalassinidea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Thalassinidea. 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!