operculated

9.9

Having a hard lid that closes an opening on a snail shell or seed capsule

adjective
/ˌoʊpərˈkjuleɪtɪd/

Specialized

: operculado

Many freshwater snails are operculated, meaning they can seal their shells with a hard lid.

Examples

Botanists identified the seed capsule as operculated due to its distinctive lid-like cover.
The operculated gills of these fish provide extra protection from debris and parasites.
The operculated snail has a protective lid.
Many species of fish are operculated for better survival.
Botanists identified the seed capsule as operculated due to its distinctive lid-like cover.
Many freshwater snails are operculated, meaning they can seal their shells with a hard lid.
The operculated gills of these fish provide extra protection from debris and parasites.

Synonyms

operculate

vsoperculated

Specialized

9.9

A living thing with a lid-like cover that closes an opening, like on a snail shell or moss capsule

focuses on having the lid rather than merely relating to it

opercular

vsoperculated

Specialized

9.9

A cover like a lid that protects parts of an animal or plant

describes actual possession of a lid rather than only resemblance

Surface Forms

operculated positive

Morphology

operculated = operculate (transparent) = operculum + ate + ed

The word is formed by adding the regular adjectival/participial suffix '-ed' to 'operculate', so the immediate derivation is straightforward and regular.

Etymology

Operculated comes from the Latin operculum, which means 'little lid' or 'cover', so an operculated plant or animal has a lid-like part that can close or protect it.