barnacle

noun

bar·na·cle | \ˈbär-ni-kəl

Definition of barnacle

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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Nearly all the drug candidates have targeted one of the key hallmarks of Alzheimer’s: amyloid plaques, the barnacle-like proteins long considered the main culprits behind the disease. — Linda Marsa, Discover Magazine, "A New Treatment for Alzheimer's? It Starts With Lifestyle," 16 Nov. 2018 Photo: Charles Krebs An acorn barnacle, magnified five times, is seen in a photo taken by Charles Krebs. — Daniela Hernandez, WSJ, "From Tears to Spider Embryos: Photos Reveal World’s Microscopic Wonders," 12 Oct. 2018 But the Declaration of Independence invites speculation, accruing apocryphal stories like a ship attracts barnacles. — Stephan Salisbury, Philly.com, "Rare version of the Declaration of Independence on display at the Museum of the American Revolution just in time for July 4th," 26 June 2018 While Galicia is famed for its seafoods, the menus focus mainly on octopus, various types of shellfish and their coveted delicacy, barnacles. — Doug Hansen, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Hiking Spain's wild coast," 12 July 2018 The scientists have observed 13 different species making use of the one-acre project near Fort Carroll, including barnacles, mussels, mud crabs and grass shrimp. — Scott Dance, baltimoresun.com, "Man-made oyster reef near Key Bridge 'flourishing,' Chesapeake Bay Foundation says," 28 June 2018 Their fishing rigs, baited with sea worms and squid and anchored with pyramid sinkers, could not tempt the tautog, who preferred barnacles and crabs. — Robert F. Kennedy, Town & Country, "Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Describes What It's Really Like Inside the Kennedy Compound in Hyannisport," 1 June 2018 Applications include tagging coral reefs for research, cleaning barnacles off of boats, building piers, laying underwater pipes, covert actions that remain classified, and, of course, building the underwater patio of your dreams. — Timothy Dahl, Popular Mechanics, "This Drill Handles Saltwater Like a Boss," 12 Jan. 2016 People can vote for one of four options: biscuits, bacon, butternut squash and barnacles. — Zoe Szathmary, Fox News, "IHOP says it's changing iconic name; pancake lovers flip out," 6 June 2018

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