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Glite Dictionary
Spirula

Spirula

1 9.9
A small deep sea animal like a squid with a coiled internal shell
  • noun
  • /ˈspɪrʊlə/
  • Specialized
: Spirula
  • The distinctive coiled shell of the Spirula makes it easily recognizable among cephalopods.

Examples

  • The rare Spirula shell sometimes washes up on tropical beaches, puzzling beachcombers with its delicate spiral form.

  • Scientists studied a specimen of Spirula caught in deep ocean waters near the Azores.

  • Look at the Spirula!

  • The Spirula is a fascinating creature of the deep sea.

  • The distinctive coiled shell of the Spirula makes it easily recognizable among cephalopods.

  • Scientists studied a specimen of Spirula caught in deep ocean waters near the Azores.

  • The rare Spirula shell sometimes washes up on tropical beaches, puzzling beachcombers with its delicate spiral form.

Synonyms

Spirulidae
vsSpirula
  • Specialized
9.9

A family of small squids with a spiral internal shell like a ram's horn

is the narrower genus-level name for the same organisms

Compounds

Spirula peronii
  • Specialized
9.9

A small sea animal like a squid with a flat, coiled shell inside

Surface Forms

Spirula singular
Spirula plural

Etymology

Spirula comes from the Latin spira meaning 'coil' plus a small-ending -ula, so it means 'small spiral' and shares its root with the English word spiral. That fits the animal because it has a tiny coiled shell inside its body.