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Definition of barnacle
1 : barnacle goose
2 [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
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Recent Examples of barnacle from the Web
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When divers scrub off barnacles attached to those boats, minute particles of copper dissolve in the salt water.
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There, order up a cold Portuguese Super Bock beer or a glass of vinho verde and a plate of goose barnacles, the area's prized local delicacy.
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For one thing, turtle skin is usually coated in layers of algae, bacteria, and barnacles that make cultured growth -- which needs to be sterile -- difficult.
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Indeed barnacles, sea fans, and myriad coral stud and enshroud bronze deities, triumphant warriors, and even an occasional Walt Disney character.
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Not to be confused with Felix Unger, who once invested in a dental adhesive based on the substance barnacles produce to stick to ships.
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After cleaning barnacles and algae from the pipes and clipping branches, the team headed to a nearby reef to replant the corals by zip-tying them to nails hammered into the reef.
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After cleaning barnacles and algae from the pipes and clipping branches, the team headed to a nearby reef to replant the corals by zip-tying them to nails hammered into the reef.
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Thompson was inspired by rough textures found in nature, like barnacles.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'barnacle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Illustration of barnacle
Origin and Etymology of barnacle
Middle English barnakille, alteration of bernake, bernekke
Other Invertebrates (Except Insects) Terms
BARNACLE Defined for English Language Learners
barnacle
playDefinition of barnacle for English Language Learners
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: a kind of small shellfish that attaches itself to rocks and the bottoms of boats underwater
BARNACLE Defined for Kids
barnacle
playDefinition of barnacle for Students
: a small saltwater crustacean that becomes permanently attached (as to rocks or the bottoms of boats) as an adult
Learn More about barnacle
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Spanish Central: Translation of barnacle Nglish: Translation of barnacle for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of barnacle for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about barnacle
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